What are cortisone shots (steroid injections)?

You may hear "cortisone shot" from one person and "steroid injection" from another. If that has you wondering whether they differ, this page clears it up.

They are the same thing

Cleveland Clinic defines it this way: "A cortisone shot is an injection of medicine that relieves pain and reduces inflammation (swelling)." It adds that "Healthcare providers also call them steroid injections or steroid shots." Three names, one treatment.

Why the names pile up

When a form says one name and a friend says another, the answer is the same. The source ties the shot to two jobs: relieving pain and reducing swelling. That is all this page claims, and your own details belong in a conversation with a clinician.

Related terms and what to do next

An injection visit can bring up other terms. The Cleveland Clinic page on cortisone shots is the full entry for this one. You may also meet joint aspiration, knee gel injections or a bursa injection, each a separate entry worth reading by itself. Before a visit, write down your questions. Readers in Woodland Park and nearby towns can bring that list to any appointment.

The short version

Knowing the name is the cheapest preparation you can do. Ask the clinician to explain the plan for your joint in everyday words, and ask again if it is not clear.