How effective is cortisone injection for elbow osteoarthritis?

Elbow osteoarthritis involves changes within the joint that can cause aching, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty fully bending or straightening the arm. Cortisone is placed into or near the joint to calm inflammation. If inflammation is a major part of the pain, this may make daily tasks and prescribed exercises easier. The injection does not rebuild worn cartilage, remove a loose piece of bone, or correct a fixed mechanical block. The amount and duration of relief vary, so the decision should reflect your symptoms, examination, and goals.

Before an injection, discuss previous elbow injuries or operations, diabetes, blood-thinning medicines, allergies, infection, and any sudden change in movement. Your clinician may recommend activity pacing, range-of-motion work, strengthening, pain relief, or an ergonomic change alongside the injection. Do not force a stiff elbow through sharp pain. If the response is limited, reassessment may be needed to look for nerve irritation, a loose body, or another source of symptoms instead of simply repeating the same treatment.

Seek urgent assessment for a deformed elbow, a suddenly cold or numb hand, new major weakness, or severe pain after an injury. Contact your clinician if the injection site becomes increasingly red, hot, swollen, or painful, or if fever develops. A locked elbow, rapidly worsening swelling, or persistent loss of movement also warrants review because these features may need a different assessment.

Is inflammation or a mechanical block driving my symptoms? What movement should I work on after treatment? How will we judge whether the injection has helped? What alternatives should we consider if stiffness or pain continues?