Cortisone Injections on Long Island
When joint pain from arthritis, bursitis, or tendonitis stops responding to rest and anti-inflammatories, a cortisone injection is often the next step — and for many patients it’s the step that delays or avoids surgery.
Orthopedic Associates of Long Island offers cortisone injections at eight Suffolk County offices, administered by board-certified orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, and podiatrists. Because we have radiology and MRI on site, most patients are examined, imaged, and injected in a single visit rather than across three appointments at three facilities.
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One Visit, Not Three
This is the practical difference between an orthopedic group and a standalone pain clinic.
An injection is only as good as the diagnosis behind it. Cortisone reduces inflammation — so if the pain isn’t inflammatory, the injection won’t help, and injecting the wrong structure wastes the visit. That’s why the evaluation comes first: history, physical exam, and imaging where it’s needed to confirm what’s actually generating the pain.
With on-site X-ray and MRI, that confirmation usually happens the same day. You don’t leave with a referral to an imaging center and a follow-up two weeks out.
Why Choose OALI for Cortisone Injections in Long Island
At Orthopedic Associates of Long Island, we are committed to delivering advanced cortisone injection therapies that prioritize your comfort and recovery. Our experienced specialists use the latest technology to ensure accurate diagnostics and effective treatment.
Minimally Invasive Techniques
Our cortisone injection procedures often utilize minimally invasive techniques, allowing for quicker recovery and reduced postoperative pain, helping you return to your daily activities sooner.
Personalized Treatment Plans
We recognize that each patient is different. Our team will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific condition and recovery goals.
Comprehensive Care Approach
From diagnosis through rehabilitation, we provide comprehensive care to ensure you receive the support you need at every stage of your treatment journey.
Conditions We Treat with Cortisone Injections
Cortisone injections are used when inflammation is driving the pain. Common indications include:
- Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, shoulder, or hand
- Rheumatoid and inflammatory arthritis
- Bursitis — shoulder, hip, and elbow
- Tendonitis and tendinopathy, including tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Rotator cuff inflammation and shoulder impingement
- Trigger finger and de Quervain’s tenosynovitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, as a diagnostic and therapeutic step
- Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
- Facet joint and spine-related inflammation
Cortisone is not appropriate for every painful joint. In an unstable joint, an active infection, or advanced “bone-on-bone” arthritis with little remaining cartilage, an injection often provides little benefit — and your physician will tell you that rather than inject anyway. Click to learn more about Cortison injections.
What to Expect
Before. No fasting or sedation. Let your physician know if you take blood thinners or have diabetes — cortisone can raise blood sugar for a few days, and your doctor may adjust the plan.
During. The area is cleaned and usually numbed with a local anesthetic. The injection itself takes under a minute. Most patients describe pressure rather than sharp pain.
Immediately after. If the injection included an anesthetic, you may feel relief within minutes. That’s the numbing agent, not the cortisone, and it wears off in a few hours — which is normal and not a sign the injection failed.
The first 48 hours. Some patients experience a cortisone flare, a temporary increase in pain at the injection site. Ice and rest help. It typically resolves on its own.
Days 2 to 7. The cortisone begins working. Most patients feel meaningful relief within 24 to 72 hours, with peak effect around day five to seven.
After that. Relief commonly lasts 6 to 12 weeks, varying by joint and condition. For a detailed breakdown by joint, see how long cortisone injections last.
How Often Can You Have Them?
Most physicians limit injections in the same joint to three or four per year, spaced several weeks apart, to protect cartilage and surrounding soft tissue. Cortisone treats inflammation; it does not repair the underlying joint.
That’s why injections work best as part of a broader plan. Depending on your diagnosis, that may include physical therapy, activity modification, bracing, weight management, or — when injections stop working — a conversation about surgical options. We can offer all of those in the same practice, so a change in plan doesn’t mean starting over with a new provider.
For a fuller discussion of tradeoffs, see cortisone injections for joint pain: benefits and risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a cortisone shot hurt?
Most patients report pressure more than pain. The site is typically numbed with a local anesthetic first, and the injection takes less than a minute.
How soon will it work?
Most patients feel relief within 24 to 72 hours, peaking around day five to seven. Any immediate relief is from the anesthetic and will wear off before the cortisone takes effect.
How long does the relief last?
Commonly 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the joint, the severity of inflammation, and your activity level. Larger joints like the knee and hip tend to hold relief longer than smaller ones.
Is cortisone the same as a steroid used in sports?
No. Cortisone is a corticosteroid, an anti-inflammatory medication. It is unrelated to the anabolic steroids used to build muscle.
Will insurance cover it?
Cortisone injections are covered by most plans when medically indicated. OALI participates with most major insurers — call 631-689-6698 with your carrier and plan name, and our staff will verify before your visit.
Can I drive home afterward?
Yes, in most cases. Injections are performed without sedation. Weight-bearing joint injections occasionally warrant a ride, and your physician will tell you in advance if so.
Schedule Your Evaluation
If joint pain is limiting your work, sleep, or activity, an evaluation is the fastest way to find out whether a cortisone injection is the right next step — or whether something else would serve you better.