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310-595-1030
310-595-1030
Appointment

Cortisone Injections

What medication was injected?

The injection you received today has a combination of local anesthetic and a steroid. The local anesthetic – similar to novocaine – provides immediate pain relief that lasts for 5-10 hours and then “wears off,” much like an injection at the dentist’s office.
You may not feel the benefit of the steroid until 3-5 days AFTER the injection, so it is not unusual to have continued discomfort—or even a slight increase in pain—for several days after your injection.
Steroid injections last for a variable amount of time. Some patients experience complete, permanent relief of their symptoms, while others have several weeks or months of relief. Injections may also provide pain relief so that you can participate more effectively in rehab and/or physical therapy.
Some patients experience a “flare” of pain one day after the injection. This may be similar to, or sometimes worse than, the original pain. Ice and anti-inflammatory medications (Advil or Aleve) are usually helpful. These “flares” rarely last more than 24 hours. Please call the office if increased pain lasts more than 3 days or if you develop visible swelling, redness or fever.