Steroid Injections Aftercare Guide – Joint, Tendon,
or Trigger Point Treatment
This Steroid Injections aftercare guide covers what to expect after your joint, tendon, or trigger point treatment, along with simple steps to support a smooth recovery. Following this guidance closely helps you get the full benefit from your steroid injections.
For further information and reference:
https://fullcircleorthopedics.com/services/anti-inflamatory-injections/
https://fullcircleorthopedics.com/services/trigger-point-injections/
What to Expect After Steroid Injections:
- You will have 4-5 hours of pain relief with the local anesthetic (Marcaine; Bupivacaine) but the steroid or “Cortisone” (Kenalog; triamcinolone) can take up to a week for the full effect to take place.
AVOID:
- Sit baths, pool, hot tub, sauna x 48 hours. You may take a shower and allow the water to run over the injection sites.
- Anti-inflammatories (known as NSAIDs) topically and orally for 2 days following the treatment. This includes Ibuprofen (Advil), Naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib (Celebrex), Meloxicam (Mobic), Arnica, CBD, etc.
May Use:
- Over the counter anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs – ex. Advil, Aleve, Arnica) or analgesics (ex. Tylenol ES 1-2 tabs 3x/day, lidocaine topically) as needed for the first few days
Activity:
- Week one – light use of limb affected. No restriction on activity using unaffected limb
- This will be discussed more fully on an individual basis.
Possible short term side effects:
- Mild facial flushing, hyperactivity, difficulty sleeping, increased appetite for sugar and carbohydrates, and/or mood swings may occur. Rarely, breakthrough menstrual bleeding may occur.
Recovery Timeline:
Recovery after steroid injections generally follows a predictable pattern, though every patient is different. In the first few hours, the local anesthetic provides temporary relief before it wears off. Over the next 2-7 days, the steroid itself gradually takes effect, with many patients noticing significant improvement by the end of the first week. During this window, avoiding anti-inflammatories and hot tubs or pools helps the steroid injections work as intended. Most patients can resume light activity on the unaffected limb right away, while the treated area benefits from a lighter approach during week one.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long do steroid injections take to work?
You may notice a few hours of relief right away from the local anesthetic used alongside steroid injections. The steroid itself typically takes up to a week for its full effect to take place.
Why should I avoid anti-inflammatories after steroid injections?
NSAIDs can interfere with how steroid injections work in the body. Avoiding them for 2 days after treatment helps ensure you get the full benefit.
Are side effects from steroid injections common?
Most patients tolerate steroid injections well. Mild, short-term effects like facial flushing or trouble sleeping can occur but typically resolve on their own within a few days.
Best practices for corticosteroid injection aftercare continue to be refined through clinical research, as documented in studies available on PubMed.
Call the office if you are experiencing any of the following :
- Redness, swelling, increased temperature around area injected
- Numbness, tingling, or burning in limb injected
- Fever (over 99.9F), repeated chills
- Any other abnormal symptoms that are concerning to you