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Does cortisone shot in ankle hurt?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Jan 15, 2026

The doctor puts numbing medicine on the injection site or blends it in with the steroid injection. You may feel a bit of pinching and a burning sensation that quickly goes away. The injected area may stay sore for a few days. You'll need to rest the injected area for a day or two.

What to expect after a cortisone shot in the ankle?

Results of cortisone shots typically depend on the reason for the treatment. Cortisone shots commonly cause a temporary flare in pain and inflammation for up to 48 hours after the injection. After that, your pain and inflammation of the affected joint should decrease, and can last up to several months.

Do you need to rest after a cortisone injection in ankle?

You can go home after the injection, but you may need to rest the area that was treated for a few days. You may be able to have a hydrocortisone injection into the same joint up to 4 times in a year.

Can I walk after a steroid injection in my ankle?

After a steroid injection, you can return to most daily activities, including walking. The treating clinician may suggest against walking a distance/many steps. You should have no issues with walking out of the clinic upon completion of the injection.

How badly do cortisone shots hurt?

At the time of injection it should hurt no more than a common immunization needle. Around 1:20 patients may have pain that is worse after the injection. This generally occurs for no more than 2-3 days and is related to irritation of the tissue injected from the cortisone itself.

16 related questions found

Why do cortisone shots hurt so much?

The corticosteroids in the injection are formulated as slow-release crystals to give you long-term pain relief. Pain relief usually lasts for several months. However, the presence of these crystals can irritate your joint, which is what creates the sensation of pain around the area of the shot.

What is an alternative to a cortisone shot?

Enter – PRP, or platelet-rich plasma. PRP injections offer a viable alternative to corticosteroid injections, without all of the nasty side effects.

Why is my ankle so painful?

The most common causes include injury, arthritis and normal wear and tear. Depending on the cause, you may feel pain or stiffness anywhere around the ankle. Your ankle may also swell, and you may not be able to put any weight on it. Usually, ankle pain gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain medications.

Does a cortisone shot in the foot hurt?

Where Do Cortisone Shots Hurt the Most? Certain cortisone injections will hurt more than others based on their location. Injections into the palm of the hand and sole of the foot can be especially painful. Injections tend to hurt most when the cortisone is delivered to a small space.

Will a cortisone shot Help ankle tendonitis?

Cortisone injections can be a quick and effective way to treat tendonitis or plantar fasciitis but it is not without its drawbacks. Steroid injections alleviate pain and inflammation in the short term but can soften cartilage in joints and rupture tendons with repeat injections.

Is walking good after cortisone injection?

As a general rule, patients advised receiving a steroid injection into a joint are cautioned against any heavy lifting or exercise. But after 10 days to two weeks, they are encouraged to start gentle range-of-motion exercises and to remain active as tolerated.

Will cortisone shots help ankle arthritis?

In general, options for pain relief injections for the ankle include cortisone, hyaluronic acid, and platelet-rich plasma. Cortisone is a potent anti-inflammatory that effectively reduces pain in the short term. However, steroid injection in the ankle only lasts for a short period, usually for a few months.

How long should you stay off your foot after a cortisone shot?

Expect to spend some time resting your feet over the following 2-3 days (try to avoid exercise during this recovery period). And don't be too alarmed if the pain gets slightly worse before it gets better. After day three, you should feel significant pain relief for about 3 months.

How long does it take for a cortisone shot to work in the ankle?

A corticosteroid injection will usually take 3 to 7 days to begin to have a positive effect. It may take up to two weeks for the medicine to decrease the inflammation to a point where pain is improved. The full benefit of the corticosteroid may not be felt until 6 weeks after injection.

What does a cortisone flare feel like?

After the shot, some people may experience a side effect known as a cortisone flare. They may have pain in the joint where the shot was given. This pain tends to go away after a few days.

What are the pros and cons of cortisone injections?

Corticosteroid injections may reduce pain and increase function (for the short term) but it does not mean they are good for the joint long term.
...
Cons of IACSs

  • joint pain and swelling.
  • stiffness.
  • weight gain.
  • sleep disturbances.
  • gastrointestinal issues.
  • osteoporosis.
  • pancreatitis.

Do they numb you before a cortisone shots?

Cortisone shots are injections that contain high doses of corticosteroids, powerful steroid medications that mimic cortisone, a steroid your body naturally produces. These injections also usually contain numbing medications to help prevent any pain.

Does a cortisone shot hurt the next day?

Cortisone shots offer fast and lasting relief for many people with joint pain, but not everyone has a good experience. Some people have a reaction to a cortisone shot called a flare. Usually, the cortisone flare occurs within 24 to 48 hours of the shot and causes pain or inflammation around the injection site.

Can podiatrists give cortisone shots?

A typical procedure for cortisone injections in the foot

Following the evaluation of the patient's condition and the diagnosis, the podiatrist may opt for cortisone injections.

How do you relieve severe ankle pain?

Self-care

  1. Rest. Keep weight off your ankle as much as possible. ...
  2. Ice. Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on your ankle for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day.
  3. Compression. Use a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
  4. Elevation. ...
  5. Over-the-counter pain medications.

Does ankle arthritis show up on xray?

X-ray. To confirm a diagnosis of arthritis and determine the extent of the condition, doctors may recommend an X-ray of your foot and ankle. X-rays create pictures of the bones of the foot and ankle that doctors analyze for any visible changes in the spacing of the joints.

Why does the side of my ankle hurt?

They can get inflamed from arthritis, overuse, high-heeled shoes, recent footwear changes, or starting workouts again after time off. Your ankle may feel stiff, tender, warm, and swollen. The best treatment is RICE: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Take anti-inflammatory drugs to ease the pain and swelling.

What is the difference between a steroid shot and a cortisone shot?

Also called “corticosteroid,” “steroid shot,” and a human-made version of the hormone cortisol, these shots aren't pain relievers. Cortisone is a type of steroid, a drug that lowers inflammation, which is something that can lead to less pain.

Do cortisone shots cause arthritis?

Steroid Injections in the Knee and Hip Can Cause More Damage Than Previously Realized. A new study finds that corticosteroid shots may accelerate arthritis in knee and hip joints, even as it removes pain. Osteoarthritis affects more than 30 million adults in the United States.

How big is the needle for a cortisone shot?

Injections should be performed using aseptic technique. A 1.5 inch, 21-gauge needle is typically used to inject larger joints such as the knee or shoulder. Smaller (0.5 inch) 23- or 25-gauge needles suffice for smaller joints. The viscosity of some steroid preparations precludes injection through smaller-bore needles.