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Cortisone injections can be effective for managing RA symptoms, particularly during severe flare-ups. They can provide quick pain relief and help reduce inflammation while waiting for other medications like DMARDs or biologics to take full effect. These injections can be given directly into affected joints like hands Show Full Answer

Cortisone injections can be effective for managing RA symptoms, particularly during severe flare-ups. They can provide quick pain relief and help reduce inflammation while waiting for other medications like DMARDs or biologics to take full effect. These injections can be given directly into affected joints like hands, knees, or wrists, or administered into muscles or veins for full-body treatment. However, there are important safety considerations to keep in mind. Side effects from large doses or repeated injections may include:

• Bone weakening
• Cartilage damage
• Joint infection
• Nerve damage
• Skin or tissue thinning at injection site

It's important to note that if someone doesn't experience significant pain relief from an initial injection, further injections aren't recommended. Steroid shots should only be repeated when they provide weeks to months of substantial pain relief. People taking other steroid medications may need reduced doses or fewer injections to minimize side effects.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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