Do cortisone shots hurt?

If this is your first cortisone shot, the needle may worry you more than the result. Here is what the published guidance says about it.

A sting, not intense pain

Cleveland Clinic says a cortisone shot might sting when your provider puts the needle into your skin, but it shouldn't cause intense pain.

Reading the sting in context

A brief sting at the skin is the part Cleveland Clinic describes. If the pain feels much worse than that, say so right away. The Cleveland Clinic guide to cortisone shots lists benefits and side effects, which is useful reading before your appointment.

Related injections have their own pages too. See the Cleveland Clinic page on bursa injections and the Cleveland Clinic page on trigger point injections.

Talking it through with your provider

Ask your provider what you will feel and when, so there are no surprises. The Cleveland Clinic article on arthrocentesis is another procedure that uses a needle, and reading it shows how providers describe these steps.

If you are around Woodland Park and an injection is on your schedule, you can raise the question at your visit.

Speaking up about the needle

If the needle worries you, tell your provider before the shot.