How long does a cortisone injection take to work for a rotator cuff tear?

A local anaesthetic can provide early, temporary numbness, while cortisone works more gradually on inflammation around the shoulder. Less pain does not mean the torn tendon has healed or that the shoulder can immediately tolerate heavy lifting. Weakness may come from pain inhibition, tendon damage, or both, so function needs to be assessed separately.

Some post-injection soreness is possible. The useful response is a gradual improvement in sleep, reaching, dressing, or other agreed activities rather than simply pushing through pain because the shoulder feels briefly numb.

Follow the clinician’s restrictions and avoid heavy lifting, forceful overhead work, and repeated painful movements until you receive a return-to-activity plan. Keep the shoulder moving gently within comfortable limits if advised. Physiotherapy can restore controlled movement and surrounding muscle support, while imaging or a surgical discussion may be relevant for selected tears and ongoing weakness.

Track pain, night sleep, range of motion, and strength. Tell the clinician if relief is absent, fades rapidly, or leaves you tempted to increase activity faster than the tendon can tolerate.

Contact the treating service for worsening shoulder pain, increasing redness or swelling, drainage, or symptoms that do not settle after the procedure. Seek urgent assessment after a new injury causing sudden loss of shoulder movement, marked weakness, fever, or a hot swollen injection site.

Ask whether the tear is partial or full thickness, which structure was targeted, and when reaching, driving, work, and exercise are appropriate. Ask how often injections should be considered, how they fit with physiotherapy, and what persistent weakness would mean for further assessment.