Cortisone is a steroid anti-inflammatory that is widely used to control inflammation in the body. Cortisone injections are often used to control back pain when other conservative measures have failed. A spine surgeon or non-surgical pain specialist (physiatrist) will administer such injections in an outpatient clinic. An MRI and/or a bone scan are first taken to identify the specific disc or spinal (facet) joint that is potentially causing the pain. If a problem area is found then a fluoroscope (real time x-ray) is used along with luminescent dye to help guide a long needle into the problem area. Once the needle is placed correctly the physician injects a combination of cortisone and anesthetic into the area.

Local delivery of Cortisone anti-inflammatory directly to the injured site helps reduce any inflammation that may be compressing and irritating nerves. A disc bulge or an irritated facet joint will always have inflammation of the soft tissues (ligaments) around it. It is often this inflamed or swollen tissue that is the cause of the back pain. Cortisone injections are considered a symptomatic treatment. This means they are primarily used to treat the symptoms of back pain instead of addressing the underlying causes. However if the inflammation associated with a disc bulge of facet joint can be eliminated and the pain reduced then the patient can potentially make progress with other conservative treatments that can eliminate the mechanical cause of the inflammation in the spine.

The injection site will not require any specialized medical care, but may be sore for up to 24 hours after the procedure. The patient can return home from this outpatient procedure immediately. Regardless of the effectiveness of the injection physicians will only administer three Cortisone injections per year. This is because Cortisone begins to have a degrading or weakening effect on ligaments and soft tissues if it used too frequently.