Anti-Inflammatory Medication vs Cortisone Injection

Anti-inflammatory medication acts throughout the body, while a cortisone injection targets inflammation in a selected area.

Anti-inflammatory medicines are taken by mouth or applied to the skin, so their reach depends on the medicine and route. A cortisone injection places corticosteroid medicine near an inflamed joint, tendon sheath or other structure. Neither option repairs every cause of pain; identifying the pain generator remains central.

Medication may suit pain affecting more than one area, symptoms that need flexible day-to-day management, or people who prefer to avoid an injection. The clinician checks stomach, kidney, heart, blood-pressure and medication history before recommending an anti-inflammatory. Topical treatment may be considered when the painful area is close to the skin.

An injection may be considered when examination identifies a specific inflamed structure and a focused treatment is appropriate. It can be useful when oral medicine is unsuitable, has not helped enough or causes unwanted effects. The clinician explains the target, preparation, aftercare and whether the injection is diagnostic, therapeutic or both.

Anti-inflammatory medicines can cause stomach irritation or bleeding and may affect kidney function, blood pressure or fluid balance in susceptible people. Cortisone injections can cause temporary soreness, skin or fat changes, blood-sugar changes and infection; repeated injections may affect local tissues. Tell the clinician about diabetes, blood thinners, infection, allergies and pregnancy before treatment.

Neither treatment may be suitable when pain comes from a fracture, unstable injury, nerve compression or a problem needing surgery or urgent assessment. Physiotherapy, load modification, splinting, imaging or treatment of the underlying condition may be more useful. Pain that is rapidly worsening, accompanied by fever, marked swelling or new weakness needs prompt medical review.

The clinician weighs the diagnosis, location and duration of symptoms, prior treatments, examination findings and your health risks. They also consider whether broad anti-inflammatory action or local delivery better matches the problem. Read [Anti-Inflammatory Medication](/treatments/non-surgical-orthopedics/anti-inflammatory-medication/) and [Cortisone Injection](/treatments/non-surgical-orthopedics/cortisone-injection/) alongside a personalised medication review.