Do Cortisone Shots Cure Hip Bursitis?

Yes, cortisone shots help reduce inflammation and ease pain from hip bursitis. However, these injections do not treat the underlying cause of the condition and provide only temporary relief. Therefore, you should consult a doctor to ensure proper care and long-term management of the underlying problem.

At Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, our board-certified doctor, Dr. Michael K. Shindle, creates a personalized treatment plan that supports both pain control and long-term recovery. We provide cortisone shots to reduce inflammation and manage pain. At the same time, we guide you through targeted exercises to address the underlying issue. Call 855-321-6784 to book an appointment in Clifton.

How Do Cortisone Shots Help Hip Bursitis?

Cortisone shots deliver a corticosteroid medication and a local anesthetic directly into the inflamed bursa. This targeted treatment reduces inflammation around the affected area and eases discomfort. As a result, you may experience less pain, improved joint function, and better overall mobility. In fact, the National Library of Medicine reports that steroid injections can relieve pain and improve function for 3 to 6 months.

During the procedure, our doctor, Dr. Michael K. Shindle, carefully examines the skin around the injection site. Then, he identifies the tender spot through palpation (a hands-on method for locating the exact area of pain). In some cases, he uses imaging tools like X-ray or ultrasound guidance to improve accuracy. After that, steroid medicine is injected directly into the irritated bursa to control pain over the next few weeks.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Cortisone Injections?

Our orthopedic doctor, Dr. Michael K. Shindle, recommends a steroid injection if you have severe hip pain despite 3–4 weeks of conservative treatment such as medication (NSAIDs) or rest. He also recommends steroid injection if you have localized tenderness on the outside of the hip that interferes with daily activities, such as walking and climbing stairs. In such cases, a cortisone shot can reduce inflammation and help resume daily tasks with less discomfort.

However, our surgeon, Dr. Michael K. Shindle, may not recommend a corticosteroid injection if you have any of the following medical conditions or risk factors.

Active Infection

Cortisone can suppress the immune system and affect your body’s ability to fight the infection. As a result, bacteria can grow more quickly, increasing the risk of serious complications, such as joint infections. At the same time, the injection process can spread bacteria into the already affected area and delay proper treatment.

Allergy to Medication

According to the National Health Service, you should avoid a cortisone injection if you have had an allergic reaction to hydrocortisone or similar medications. These reactions can lead to skin rashes, swelling, and breathing difficulties during the procedure. For this reason, you should inform your medical team about any known allergies before receiving the injection, such as:

• Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, cortisone)
• Local anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine, often used during the procedure)
• Contrast dye (used in image-guided injections)

Uncontrolled Diabetes

Our doctors, Dr. Michael K. Shindle, do not recommend cortisone injections if you have uncontrolled diabetes, as it can raise your blood sugar levels. In fact, research published in the Sports Health reports that patients with uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c above 7%) may experience higher blood glucose levels that last longer after the injection. Even in controlled diabetes cases, blood sugar can increase for a short time after the shot. This increase can range from about 125 to 320 mg/dL, which may affect your overall glucose control.

Bleeding Disorders or Anticoagulants

Patients with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulants have a higher risk of bleeding or severe bruising at the injection site. Therefore, our hip specialist, Dr. Michael K. Shindle, carefully reviews your medications and may adjust the dose to ensure a safe therapeutic range. In some cases, we use ultrasound guidance to ensure precision and reduce the risk of tissue damage and bleeding. However, if you have a high risk of bleeding, we may recommend other therapies such as anti-inflammatory medication or non-injection approaches.

How Many Cortisone Shots Are Safe for Hip Bursitis?

Most healthcare providers recommend 3–4 cortisone shots per year for hip bursitis. However, doctors typically wait 6 to 12 weeks between injections to reduce the risk of tendon damage, cartilage wear, and infection. This treatment gap helps protect the joint and surrounding tissues from repeated pressure or stress. Before each treatment, doctors also review potential side effects, such as tendon weakness, cartilage damage, and changes in blood sugar levels. Beyond this, they limit repeat injections in the same treatment area to prevent tissue damage and avoid long-term complications.

What Happens If You Get Too Many Cortisone Shots?

Getting too many cortisone shots can lead to serious, lasting joint damage, including cartilage damage, tendon rupture, and weakening of nearby bone. Over time, you may also notice skin thinning, bruising, and lightening of the skin around the injection area. In some cases, it can lead to tissue death and damage to tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues around the hip or knee joint. In addition, repeated use can also cause severe systemic complications, such as:

• Adrenal Suppression: The body may reduce its natural cortisol production due to repeated steroid exposure.
• Blood Sugar Changes: If you have diabetes, you may experience higher blood sugar levels.
• Infection Risk: Steroids can weaken the body’s immune system.
• Weight Gain: Body weight increases due to changes in metabolism and fluid balance.
• Fluid Retention: Excess fluid can accumulate in the hip joints and lead to swelling.
• Facial Flushing: You may experience redness or warmth in the face.
• Blood Pressure Changes: You may also notice an increase in blood pressure due to fluid and hormonal changes.

To prevent these severe complications, consult our doctor at Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Our team carefully monitors your condition and reviews your full medical history before planning any injection. Based on this assessment, we guide you on a safe dose and limit the number of injections to reduce risk. We also track your response over time and adjust your treatment plan to protect your joints and overall health.

Can Steroid Injections Delay Hip Surgery?

Yes, steroid injections can delay hip surgery by reducing pain and improving joint function for a period of time. In many cases, this relief lasts for a few months or longer and helps you manage severe symptoms without the need for surgery. However, the effect is temporary as these injections do not treat the underlying joint damage or condition.

Moreover, in a retrospective study, researchers analyzed 682 cases of hip osteoarthritis to examine risks such as infection and rapid joint damage after injections. They found that only 0.6% of cases developed rapid joint damage within 2–4 months. They also found that injections given within 3 months before surgery did not increase the risk of infection. Beyond this, they reported just 1 case (less than 0.2%) of joint infection, and doctors treated it successfully without long-term issues.

How Many Weeks Does a Cortisone Shot Last?

Cortisone shots typically provide pain relief for 6 weeks to 6 months. However, the overall outcomes vary, depending on the severity of the condition and the type of inflammation (acute or chronic). It also depends on the injection site, the accuracy of placement, and your overall health condition. Other than that, the effectiveness of the cortisone shot depends on the following factors:

• Activity Level: High-impact activity after the injection can shorten the duration of relief.
• Underlying Health Conditions: Conditions like diabetes or higher body weight can affect the body’s response.
• Injection Frequency: Repeated injections in the same area may reduce effectiveness over time.

Which Activities Should You Avoid After a Hip Cortisone Shot?

You should avoid high-impact activities like running, jumping, and intense workouts, as well as heavy lifting, during the first 24 to 48 hours after the injection. At the same time, limit walking to short distances and avoid prolonged standing to reduce stress on the hip. You should also avoid soaking the injection site in baths, hot tubs, or pools for at least 48 hours.

Beyond these precautions, you should avoid applying heat or using heating pads, as this can increase inflammation. Moreover, if you notice numbness in your legs, avoid exercise, deep massage, or long drives. Instead, you should follow a structured approach to support safe recovery and improve outcomes, such as:

Rest the Hip Joint

You should rest the hip joint for at least 24 to 48 hours after a cortisone shot to support proper recovery. This rest period allows the medication to stay in the target area and reduce inflammation more effectively. It also helps prevent sudden flare-ups of greater trochanteric pain syndrome that can occur with early movement or activity. In addition, limiting movement during this time helps reduce potential risks, such as joint degeneration, and protects the cartilage from unnecessary stress.

Use Ice Packs

The doctor recommends ice therapy during the first 24–48 hours after a cortisone shot. However, you should apply an ice pack for 15–20 minutes at a time and always wrap it in a cloth to protect your skin. This method helps reduce joint pain and relieve symptoms such as swelling and mild discomfort.

Keep the Injection Site Clean

To prevent infection at the injection site, keep the initial bandage or dressing in place for 6 to 12 hours. During this time, you may take a shower, but avoid direct water contact and gently pat the area dry. You should also avoid applying creams, lotions, or ointments to the area for at least 48 hours. This helps protect the site from irritation and reduces the risk of infection.

Monitor for Steroid Flare

You can notice a temporary increase in pain after the injection, known as a steroid flare. According to NIH research, this flare usually occurs within 24 hours. However, in about 10% of cases, it may appear between 24 and 48 hours. During this time, monitor swelling, redness, warmth, stiffness, and increased sensitivity at the injection site.

Resume Gentle Activity

After 2 to 3 days of a cortisone shot, you can begin gentle activity to support recovery. At this stage, light walking and basic daily movements help maintain joint mobility. As your comfort improves, you can gradually perform low-impact activities such as easy cycling or swimming. Most patients also begin guided strengthening exercises after about one week to support strength and movement.

Note: Immediately contact your healthcare provider if you experience severe pain or discomfort lasting more than 72 hours after the steroid injection.

How Much Do Steroid Injections Cost?

In New Jersey, hip steroid injections usually cost between $582 and $1,500 or more, depending on the facility. For example, outpatient surgery centers typically charge between $774 and $1,493. In contrast, hospital-based procedures often have higher facility fees, ranging from $1,354 to $2,000. However, the steroid injection cost also depends on the following key factors:

• Imaging Guidance: Using X-ray or ultrasound improves accuracy but increases total cost.
• Clinician Expertise: Fees vary based on the specialist performing the injection, such as an orthopedic surgeon, radiologist, or pain specialist.
• Insurance Coverage: Coverage through Medicare or private plans can reduce costs, but deductibles and copays still affect your final payment.
• Medication Type: The type and dose of steroid and anesthetic used can change the total procedure cost.

What Are the Alternatives to Cortisone Shots for Bursitis?

Our doctor, Dr. Michael K. Shindle, recommends options such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, targeted exercises, and acupuncture to manage bursitis symptoms. He also recommends supportive methods such as cushions or padding, along with ice and heat therapy, to reduce pressure and discomfort. However, if pain persists, regenerative treatments such as platelet-based therapy can support tissue repair and healing. These approaches help relieve symptoms by reducing inflammation and improving strength over time.

Here are some advanced treatment options for hip bursitis that focus on reducing pain and improving tissue function:

Massage and Myofascial Release

Massage therapy techniques help reduce hip flexor pain and muscle tension. This approach releases tight muscles around the hip instead of pressing directly on the inflamed area. For example, soft tissue mobilization improves circulation and reduces stiffness in surrounding tissues. Similarly, trigger point therapy targets tight knots in the hip muscles to improve movement.

Dry Needling

During the dry needling procedure, our doctor, Dr. Michael K. Shindle, directly targets trigger points in the gluteal muscles to release tension. This approach often provides better symptom relief and reduces joint pain more effectively than cortisone bursa injections. In fact, an NIH prospective randomized study compared dry needling with cortisone injections in patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome over 6 weeks. The results showed that cortisone injections did not provide significant symptom relief or functional improvement compared to dry needling.

Aspiration

If you have a fluid-filled sac, like a bursa, that causes significant pain, our doctor, Dr. Michael K. Shindle, may perform aspiration. In this procedure, he cleans the skin and applies a local anesthetic to numb the area. Then, he inserts a thin needle into the swollen bursa, often using imaging to guide accurate placement. He also removes the excess fluid to reduce pressure inside the joint. After that, he may inject medication directly to reduce inflammation and improve comfort. This process helps relieve symptoms and supports faster recovery.

However, if your symptoms persist despite these treatments, you may need surgical care. In fact, research by Dr. Michael K. Shindle et al. reports that conditions like severe hip bursitis or tendon tears may require advanced procedures. The study also found that treatments such as bursectomy and tendon repair can help address the underlying problem. These procedures also reduce pain and improve joint function.

Which Is Better for Hip Pain Relief: PRP or Cortisone?

Cortisone injections are better for quick, short-term pain relief during flare-ups, while PRP injections are better for long-term management in chronic hip bursitis. In fact, a PubMed meta-analysis reports that PRP injections show better results than cortisone at around 2 years of follow-up.

Similarly, a study published in Cureus found that patients treated with PRP showed improvements in pain scores (VAS) and hip function (HHS) over time. At 4 and 12 weeks, both groups showed progress. However, by 24 weeks, PRP showed a significant reduction in pain scores and higher functional scores than cortisone.

In addition, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy offers the following benefits that support long-term recovery:

• Natural Healing Response: Your own blood components trigger tissue repair and support recovery at the source.
• Significant Pain Relief: The treatment targets underlying damage, which helps reduce bursitis pain over time.
• Reduced Inflammation: Concentrated platelets release proteins that calm swelling and discomfort.
• Cartilage Protection: This approach may slow cartilage wear and help protect the joint structure.
• Improved Joint Function: Better movement and reduced stiffness support daily activity and joint comfort.
• Minimal Risk: Using your own blood reduces the risk of reactions or complications.

Visit Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine for Hip Bursitis Treatment in Clifton!

Hip pain can limit your movement, disturb your sleep, and make simple daily tasks difficult. Over time, this ongoing discomfort can reduce your activity level and make it difficult to stay active. With this constant physical pain, you may also struggle to choose the right treatment and manage bursitis symptoms.

At Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, our doctor, Dr. Michael K. Shindle, designs a treatment plan based on your symptoms and activity level. As the Team Physician for USA Hockey, he also guides sports-medicine techniques, such as mobility training, to restore normal joint movement. Beyond this, our team guides you through coverage details to prevent unnecessary delays in treatment. Call 855-321-6784 or visit our clinic for advanced treatment.

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