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Why do you need to rest after cortisone injection?

Author

James Craig

Published Jan 24, 2026

However, we often say you should leave about a week before an event for the cortisone shot to work. Also, you need to be aware that cortisone can cause a flare of pain in the first few days. Therefore, you must rest for a few days after the cortisone shot to stop the flare from getting worse.

Do you need to rest after a cortisone injection?

Common side effects

You may also get some bruising where the injection was given. This should go away after a few days. It helps to rest the joint for 24 hours after the injection and avoid heavy exercise. It's safe to take everyday painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

What should you not do after a cortisone shot?

After the cortisone shot

Protect the injection area for a day or two. For instance, if you received a cortisone shot in your shoulder, avoid heavy lifting. If you received a cortisone shot in your knee, stay off your feet when you can. Apply ice to the injection site as needed to relieve pain.

Can you be active after a cortisone shot?

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.

Is it normal to feel tired after a cortisone injection?

According to the National Institutes of Health, the side effects from cortisone shots include: Dizziness or headaches. Skin issues, including dryness, thinness, acne, dry skin, and red or purple blotches. Fatigue and trouble sleeping.

19 related questions found

Why is my pain worse after a cortisone injection?

Some patients may experience a “cortisone flare” after their injection. This happens when the cortisone crystallizes and causes pain for a day or two. The pain may be worse than what you were living with before the shot. This is not a dangerous side effect, but it is uncomfortable.

Does cortisone make you fat?

Steroids affect your metabolism and how your body deposits fat. This can increase your appetite, leading to weight gain, and in particular lead to extra deposits of fat in your abdomen.

How long after steroid shot Will I feel better?

Although there is no way to precisely predict the body's response to a cortisone injection, most patients will begin to feel relief of their symptoms within 48 to 72 hours after the injection. When inflammation is severe or if the condition is chronic, the cortisone might need several days to take effect.

How long does cortisone stay in your system?

by Drugs.com

You could expect a dose of prednisone to stay in your system for 16.5 to 22 hours. The elimination half life of prednisone is around 3 to 4 hours. This is the time it takes for your body to reduce the plasma levels by half.

How quickly do cortisone injections work?

It can take up to 7 days for a cortisone injection to begin working in the body. The effects of the injection usually last up to 2 months, but sometimes longer. Cortisone can reduce inflammation that damages joints.

What are the side effects of a cortisone shot?

Cortisone Shot Disadvantages and Side Effects

Shrinkage and lightening of the color of the skin where you get the shot. Infection. Bleeding from broken blood vessels in the skin or muscle. Soreness where you get the shot.

How painful is a cortisone shot?

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.

How long should I rest my knee after a cortisone shot?

In addition, we advise taking up to a week of rest following a cortisone shot. So timing is everything regarding a cortisone shot. Generally, we advise an injection just before the final phase of your intense training (4-6 weeks before a marathon).

Can steroid injections affect your sleep?

Side effects of injections given into the blood tend to be similar to side effects of steroid tablets, such as increased appetite, mood changes and difficulty sleeping.

What should you not take before a cortisone shot?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)

Ibuprofen medication like Advil, Nuprin, aspirin, or most pain relievers should not be used before the procedure. NSAIDs affect platelet behavior in the blood, which can affect how well it clots.

Can a cortisone shot keep you awake?

Commonly experienced adverse reactions from corticosteroid injections include dizziness, nervousness, facial flushing, insomnia, and transient increased appetite.

Can you drink while taking cortisone?

Both corticosteroids and alcohol can suppress your immune system, raising your risk of getting an infection. While alcohol may not directly interact with corticosteroids, it can potentially worsen the underlying condition being treated.

Do cortisone shots reduce inflammation?

Cortisone injections are used to treat orthopedic (bone and muscle) problems, such as arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis. Cortisone isn't a painkiller. Rather, it reduces inflammation which, in turn, decreases pain.

What foods to avoid while on steroids?

It is important to avoid "simple" carbohydrates and concentrated sweets, such as cakes, pies, cookies, jams, honey, chips, breads, candy and other highly processed foods. This helps keep blood sugar low. Limit saturated fat and cholesterol. Choose lean meats, poultry and fish.

What is moon face?

Also called moon face, this is usually not serious. But it may make you feel self-conscious. Moon facies occurs when extra fat builds up on the sides of the face. It is often related to obesity but can be from Cushing's syndrome. That's why people sometimes refer to it as a Cushingoid appearance.

Can you drink coffee while taking prednisone?

Avoid stimulants, such as caffeine, because these can worsen insomnia, a side effect of prednisone.

Should you ice after a steroid injection?

SHOULD I USE ICE OR HEAT AFTER CORTISONE INJECTION? If you're having pain from a cortisone flare during those first 24-48 hours, you can apply ice to the injection site. Do not use a heating pad.

Can I walk after a cortisone shot in my knee?

The injection consists of two medications: Cortisone (a steroid) and Marcaine (a numbing agent). It is recommended that you refrain from any high level activities using your knee for approximately 48 hours. Routine activities including walking are permitted.

Why does my knee hurt worse after cortisone shot?

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 happens if cortisone shot in knee doesn't work?

What if Cortisone shot doesn't work? If the first cortisone injection doesn't provide pain relief, your doctor may try a second injection four to six weeks later.