Single cortisone (corticosteroid) injections typically offer short-term relief for inflammation and pain, with the duration of the effect varying depending on the cause and injection site.

Cortisone shots may take a few days to reduce inflammation. You may have some immediate pain relief benefits, because shots are typically combined with pain relief ingredients like lidocaine.

In terms of how long a cortisone shot lasts, evidence suggests the following:

  • Knee osteoarthritis: Cortisone shots can provide mild to moderate inflammation and pain relief for up to 3 months, with a low risk of adverse effects.
  • Hip osteoarthritis: Corticosteroid injections in the hip joint may provide pain relief and support function for up to 12 weeks.
  • Plantar fasciitis: The effects of cortisone shots are generally short term, typically lasting between 4 and 12 weeks.
  • Osteoarthritis: Research suggests that corticosteroid shots for osteoarthritis have a modest treatment effect, usually lasting 2 to 4 weeks on average.
  • Allergies: Corticosteroid injections can provide allergy relief for 4 to 6 weeks, although severe symptoms may require more than one shot per season.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome: Relief may last up to 6 months, but efficacy tends to diminish significantly over time.

Because the effects of a cortisone shot may vary from person to person, these times are estimates. Injections for other conditions may also last more or less than these duration estimates.

At the doctor’s

When you schedule your cortisone shot, consider asking the healthcare professional: “Based on my condition and symptom severity, how long should I expect relief to last, and what’s our plan if symptoms return sooner?”

Healthcare professionals generally limit cortisone injections to no more than 3 to 4 times per year per injection site, waiting at least 12 weeks between shots. This helps reduce risks such as cartilage degeneration or systemic side effects.

For allergies, doctors may recommend a shot less than three times per year, depending on the severity of the symptoms and risk factors.

Understanding how long cortisone shots may help is only the first step. Consider discussing other topics with a healthcare professional, including side effects and how this treatment fits into your overall treatment plan, from lifestyle changes to other management strategies that can extend relief.