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Will Cortisone Help My Knee Pain?

  • Writer: Murray Leyland
    Murray Leyland
  • Nov 3
  • 3 min read

You’ve probably heard it before — “Just get a cortisone shot, it’ll fix your knee.” Sounds simple, right? A quick jab and the pain melts away. But like most quick fixes, there’s a bit more to the story.


At the clinic the other day, I had a patient hobble in with a swollen, angry knee. Their first question? “Would a cortisone injection help?”


Let’s break that down.




What CORTISONE ACTUALLY DOES?

Cortisone is a very powerful anti-inflammatory. Think of it as the fire extinguisher for swelling — it gets in fast, does its job, and cools everything down.

Unlike oral anti-inflammatories, which can irritate your gut and affect your whole system, a cortisone injection targets one specific area — right where the problem is.


For a swollen knee, cortisone can:

  • Reduce inflammation and fluid quickly

  • Decrease pain

  • Help you move more comfortably

  • Speed up recovery in the short term



THE CATCH: SHORT-TERM GAIN VS LONG-TERM pAIN

Here’s where it gets tricky.


If I cloned my patient — gave one a cortisone injection and left the other to recover naturally — here’s what would likely happen:

  • At 6 weeks: The cortisone group feels fantastic. Less pain, less swelling, moving freely again.

  • At 12 weeks: Both knees are about the same.

  • At 1 year: The person who had cortisone often reports more pain, swelling, and stiffness than the one who didn’t.


So while cortisone can help you get back on your feet faster in the early days, it doesn’t fix the underlying cause. It simply quiets the noise for a bit.


This pattern has been shown repeatedly in research — short-term relief, but poorer long-term outcomes for pain and cartilage health in knee osteoarthritis.



when cortisone might be useful

There are times when cortisone has its place — but these should really be a last resort.

It may be considered if:

  • Severe inflammation is stopping you from starting rehab

  • A major flare-up of arthritis is limiting sleep and daily movement

  • You need a temporary bridge to allow early physiotherapy


Be wary though — if a knee replacement is on the horizon, having a cortisone injection can delay surgery by 6–12 months due to increased infection risk after the injection.



 what to do instead?

For most knee injuries, patience and smart management win the long game.

Simple, evidence-based steps can help you recover fully without relying on injections:


  • Follow your physio’s plan — rebuild strength and stability safely.

  • Use oral anti-inflammatories and ice to manage short-term swelling.

  • Stay moving — gentle activity helps the joint recover.

  • Address the root cause — whether that’s muscle imbalance, overtraining, or biomechanics.


A knee that’s allowed to heal naturally tends to be stronger, more stable, and less prone to future flare-ups.



A patient with knee injury consulting a physotherapist


 the takeaway

Cortisone isn’t evil — it’s just misunderstood.


Used wisely and sparingly, it can help calm a flare-up. But if you’re hoping it’ll solve your knee pain for good, it’s more like a band-aid on a bigger problem.


If your knee’s giving you grief, don’t rush for the needle. Work with your physio, stay consistent, and remember — the goal isn’t just pain relief, it’s getting you back to doing what you love, stronger than before.



Ready to get started?

If you’re wondering whether a cortisone injection is right for you — or if there’s a better way forward — we’d love to help.


Book an appointment with one of our experienced physiotherapists. We’ll assess what’s really going on, walk you through your best options, and build a plan to get you moving again — confidently and pain-free.


Call us or book online today. Let’s get you stronger, safely.


Booking Page

Your Personal Best, Our Priority.


Murray Leyland, director of Thornton Physiotherapy.


Murray Leyland

Director, Thornton Physiotherapy





🎥 Missed it earlier? Catch the full video here — it’ll make all this knee talk come to life.



REFERENCES


1. McAlindon TE, LaValley MP, Harvey WF, et al. Effect of Intra-articular Triamcinolone vs Saline on Knee Cartilage Volume and Pain in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2017;317(19):1967–1975. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32349592/


2. Arroll B, Goodyear-Smith F. Corticosteroid injections for osteoarthritis of the knee: meta-analysis. BMJ. 2017;357:j2386. https://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2386




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