Steroid Injections in Castle Rock
What is a Steroid Injection?
A steroid injection (also called a corticosteroid injection or cortisone shot) delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly to a painful joint, bursa, or tendon. The injection typically combines a corticosteroid (such as Kenalog or betamethasone) with a local anesthetic (such as lidocaine). The local anesthetic provides immediate temporary relief, while the steroid reduces inflammation over the following one to two days.
Steroid injections are one of the fastest ways to reduce pain and swelling in an inflamed joint or soft tissue structure. They are covered by most insurance plans, can be performed in the office in under a minute, and often provide enough relief for patients to resume physical therapy and normal activities.
What Can Be Injected?
Dr. Carrera's team performs steroid injections for a wide range of joints and soft tissue structures, including:
Knee: Osteoarthritis, meniscal irritation, Baker's cyst
Hip: Osteoarthritis, trochanteric bursitis (greater trochanteric pain syndrome)
Shoulder: Subacromial bursitis, rotator cuff tendinitis, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), AC joint arthritis
Sacroiliac (SI) joint: SI joint dysfunction and inflammation (see also the SI joint injection page for more detail)
Facet joints of the spine: Facet arthritis in the neck, mid-back, or lower back (see the facet joint injection page)
Other: Elbow (tennis elbow, golfer's elbow), wrist, ankle, toe joints, and other areas as needed
How Do Steroid Injections Work?
The corticosteroid is a potent anti-inflammatory medication. When injected directly into an inflamed joint or around an irritated tendon, it reduces swelling, calms the immune response, and decreases pain. This is different from taking an anti-inflammatory pill (like ibuprofen or meloxicam) because the medication is concentrated right where the problem is rather than circulating through your entire body.
The local anesthetic included in the injection provides immediate but temporary relief (a few hours). The steroid takes over the next day or two. If you experience increased soreness during the first 24 to 48 hours after the injection, this is a common reaction called a steroid flare and does not mean the injection is not working.
How Should I Prepare?
There is minimal preparation. Wear clothing that allows easy access to the affected area - shorts or loose pants for knee or hip injections, a sleeveless or loose-fitting top for shoulder injections. Blood thinners generally do not need to be stopped. The team will let you know if any medication adjustments are needed.
What Happens During the Procedure?
The skin over the injection site is cleaned with antiseptic. Depending on the joint, the provider may use anatomic landmarks, ultrasound, or fluoroscopy (live X-ray) to guide needle placement. A thin needle is inserted, and the medication is injected. The entire process takes about 10 to 30 seconds from needle insertion to removal.
Hip joint injections and deeper structures are performed with imaging guidance for accuracy. Knee and shoulder injections may be performed with anatomic landmarks or ultrasound depending on the situation.
How Much Does It Hurt?
Steroid injections are quick and typically cause only brief discomfort. Most patients feel a pinch at the skin, mild pressure as the needle enters the joint, and a sense of fullness as the medication is injected. The discomfort lasts only seconds. Patients generally rate the experience between 1 and 4 out of 10.
What Should I Do After the Procedure?
Avoid heavy use of the injected joint or strenuous activity for 24 hours.
Resume normal activities gradually the next day.
Avoid submerging the injection site in water for two days.
A temporary flare of soreness in the first 24 to 48 hours is common and resolves on its own.
Think of the injection like icing a sore muscle - it helps calm the inflammation, but you should still ease back into activity rather than immediately testing the joint at full intensity.
When Will I Feel Better?
The local anesthetic provides immediate relief lasting a few hours. The steroid begins working within one to two days, with full effects developing over about a week. If you have a steroid flare (increased soreness for a day or two), this typically settles before the steroid's anti-inflammatory effect kicks in.
How Long Does the Relief Last?
Duration depends on the condition and the joint. Many patients experience relief for two to six months. For acute inflammatory flares (like a gout attack or bursitis), a single injection may resolve the episode entirely. For chronic arthritis, relief is usually temporary and injections may need to be repeated periodically.
How Often Can I Get Steroid Injections?
Steroid injections can generally be repeated every three to four months per joint. To minimize potential side effects of repeated steroids (such as cartilage thinning or tendon weakening), most providers recommend no more than three to four injections per joint per year. If you are needing frequent injections to manage your pain, the team will discuss alternatives such as PRP, physical therapy modifications, or referral for surgical evaluation.
What About PRP as an Alternative?
For patients who want to avoid repeat steroid injections or who are looking for a potentially longer-lasting option, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may be worth considering. PRP uses concentrated healing factors from your own blood to reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair. It takes longer to work than a steroid (weeks rather than days), but may provide more durable relief for conditions like knee osteoarthritis. PRP is a cash-pay procedure. More information is available on the PRP page.
Does Insurance Cover Steroid Injections?
Yes. Most insurance plans cover steroid injections for documented joint pain, arthritis, bursitis, or tendinitis. Prior authorization is sometimes required depending on the plan and the joint being treated. The team handles authorization in-house.
Can I Get an Injection on the Same Day as My Consultation?
In many cases, yes. If the clinical picture is straightforward and the injection does not require prior authorization, Dr. Carrera's team can often perform the injection during the same visit as your evaluation. This is especially common for knee, shoulder, and hip bursitis injections.
For Referring Providers
If your patient has joint, bursa, or tendon pain that has not responded to oral medications, physical therapy, or activity modification, Dr. Carrera's team can perform a targeted injection - often on the same day as the consultation. The team also offers PRP as a steroid-free alternative for appropriate candidates. Fax referrals to 720-455-3776.
Patients in Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Parker, Highlands Ranch, Denver, Colorado Springs, and surrounding areas can call 720-455-3775 to schedule.
Call 720-455-3775 to schedule an appointment