Cortisone Shot vs. Steroid Shot: Is a Cortisone Shot Better Than a Steroid Shot?

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a cortisone shot is a type of steroid injection, meaning the terms are often used interchangeably by healthcare providers. Therefore, the question of whether is a cortisone shot better than a steroid shot stems from a common misconception about the terminology used to describe these anti-inflammatory medications.

Quick Summary

Cortisone is a specific type of corticosteroid, and a cortisone shot is a steroid shot. This article clarifies the distinction, explains how corticosteroids reduce inflammation, details the benefits and risks, and compares different types of injections.

Key Points

Cortisone is a Steroid: A cortisone shot is a type of steroid shot, specifically a corticosteroid injection, meaning they are the same type of anti-inflammatory treatment.
Common Terminology Confusion: The public often uses the terms 'cortisone shot' and 'steroid shot' interchangeably, but medically, a cortisone shot refers to a specific type of corticosteroid, while a steroid shot is the broader category.
Inflammation Reduction: The primary purpose of both injections is to deliver a potent anti-inflammatory medication directly to a localized area to reduce pain and swelling caused by conditions like arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis.
Not a Cure-All: These shots offer temporary relief, not a permanent cure. They can be very effective for managing acute flare-ups or providing pain relief during physical rehabilitation.
Limited Frequency: Due to potential side effects like cartilage damage, doctors typically limit the number of corticosteroid injections into the same joint to a few per year.
Differing Formulations: While cortisone is a type of corticosteroid, other types (e.g., methylprednisolone, triamcinolone) exist and differ in their potency and how long the effect lasts.

What is a Steroid Shot?

In the context of treating pain and inflammation, a "steroid shot" refers to an injection of a corticosteroid, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication. It's crucial to differentiate these medical corticosteroids from anabolic steroids, which are associated with muscle-building and athletic performance and are a completely different class of drug. Corticosteroids are synthetic versions of cortisol, a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands. They work by calming the immune system's inflammatory response in a targeted area.

How Do Cortisone Shots Relate to Other Steroid Injections?

Cortisone is simply one specific type of corticosteroid used for injections. When a doctor talks about a steroid shot for a painful joint or tendon, they are most likely referring to a cortisone injection or a similar corticosteroid, such as methylprednisolone or triamcinolone. The active ingredient is always a corticosteroid, but the specific name (like cortisone) may vary depending on the drug used and the doctor's terminology. For the patient, the function is the same: to reduce localized inflammation and relieve pain.

Benefits of Corticosteroid Injections

Corticosteroid injections are a popular choice for treating musculoskeletal conditions due to several key benefits:

Targeted relief: The medication is delivered directly to the source of the inflammation, providing rapid and localized relief where it's needed most.
Quick action: For many patients, the anti-inflammatory effects can begin within a few days, providing much faster relief than oral medications.
Improved function: By reducing pain and swelling, these injections can help restore mobility and function, allowing patients to participate in physical therapy and rehabilitation more effectively.
Temporary but effective: For acute injuries, a single injection can provide enough relief for the body to complete its healing process. For chronic conditions, they offer an excellent way to manage flare-ups.

Conditions Treated by Corticosteroid Injections

These injections are used to treat a wide range of inflammatory conditions, including:

Arthritis: Especially in joints like the knee, hip, shoulder, and hands.
Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, the fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints.
Tendinitis: Inflammation of a tendon.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Relieves pain caused by nerve compression in the wrist.
Trigger Finger: Helps to resolve the inflammation that causes the finger to get stuck in a bent position.
Back Pain: Epidural steroid injections can target nerve pain originating in the spine.

Risks and Side Effects

While generally safe, corticosteroid injections are not without potential risks, and their use is typically limited to three to four times per year in the same joint.

Local side effects: These include temporary pain, swelling, and bruising at the injection site. Skin can also become paler or thinner near the injection area.
Temporary symptom flare: Some patients experience a temporary increase in pain or inflammation in the joint for up to 48 hours after the shot, known as a post-injection flare.
Cartilage damage: Repeated, frequent injections into a joint may lead to cartilage damage over time.
Increased blood sugar: Individuals with diabetes may experience a temporary spike in blood sugar levels for a few days following the injection.
Infection: Though rare, there is a small risk of infection at the injection site, as with any procedure involving a needle.

Comparison of Corticosteroid Injections

While the terms are often used interchangeably, different types of corticosteroids may be used for injections. These can vary in their potency and how long their effects last. For the average patient, these variations are managed by the healthcare provider based on the condition being treated.


Feature	Cortisone (e.g., Cortisone Acetate)	Triamcinolone (e.g., Kenalog)	Methylprednisolone (e.g., Depo-Medrol)
Drug Type	Corticosteroid	Corticosteroid	Corticosteroid
Potency	Lower to medium	Higher	Medium to high
Effect Duration	Shorter-acting	Longer-acting	Medium to long-acting
Best For	Many standard joint and soft tissue injections	Conditions requiring a longer duration of relief	Versatile, used for a wide range of inflammatory issues
Key Benefit	Well-established, effective for standard inflammatory issues	Potent and long-lasting effects for persistent inflammation	Good balance of potency and duration for many applications

The Injection Procedure: What to Expect

The process for a corticosteroid injection is generally straightforward and takes place in a doctor's office.

Preparation: The injection site is cleaned, and a local anesthetic may be applied to numb the area.
Guided Insertion: The physician will insert a needle into the target area. In some cases, they may use ultrasound or X-ray guidance (fluoroscopy) to ensure precise placement, particularly for injections into the spine or complex joints.
Injection: The corticosteroid solution, often mixed with a local anesthetic, is injected. The anesthetic provides immediate, though temporary, pain relief.
Aftercare: Patients are typically monitored for a brief period. Resting the treated area for a day or two and applying ice can help manage any post-injection soreness.

Conclusion

The distinction between a cortisone shot and a steroid shot is semantic; they are the same type of anti-inflammatory treatment. Cortisone is one specific type of corticosteroid, and all cortisone shots are considered a form of steroid injection. There is no question of whether one is inherently “better” than the other. The best choice depends on the specific medication selected by your doctor based on your condition. For conditions like arthritis, tendinitis, and bursitis, these injections offer a powerful, targeted way to reduce inflammation and pain, allowing patients to improve their quality of life. However, like all medical treatments, they come with risks and are not a permanent solution. Ultimately, consulting with a healthcare professional is the most effective way to determine if a corticosteroid injection is the right course of treatment for your situation.

For more in-depth information, you can read about the procedure on the Mayo Clinic website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a cortisone shot is a type of steroid shot. Specifically, it is a corticosteroid injection. Medical professionals and patients often use the terms interchangeably when referring to these anti-inflammatory treatments.

Cortisone shots work by delivering a dose of corticosteroid directly into a specific area of the body to reduce inflammation and pain. The medication suppresses the immune system's response in that location.

Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that mimic the body's natural hormone, cortisol, to reduce swelling and pain. Anabolic steroids are a different class of drugs that are synthetic versions of testosterone and are used for muscle building.

Common side effects include temporary pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. Some people may also experience a short-term increase in blood sugar, temporary facial flushing, or a flare-up of symptoms within 48 hours.

The duration of relief from a cortisone shot varies depending on the condition and the individual. The effects can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. For chronic conditions, symptoms may return over time.

Yes, but there are limitations. Healthcare providers typically recommend no more than three or four steroid injections into the same joint per year to minimize the risk of damaging cartilage.

After a cortisone shot, it's advisable to rest the affected area for a day or two and apply ice to manage any soreness. You should avoid baths and hot tubs for about 48 hours. If you have diabetes, you should monitor your blood sugar closely.