Last Updated on November 26, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir

We often use cortisone shots to reduce inflammation and treat joint pain. They help with arthritis and other musculoskeletal issues. But these steroid injections can also cause side effects.Can a steroid injection cause insomnia and pain? Get the key facts on why this happens and what you can do about these side effects.

Many people struggle with insomnia or sleep problems after getting a steroid injection. Some also feel pain at the injection site. This pain can be mild or very severe.

At Liv Hospital, we focus on your health and giving you clear information. We want you to know about the possible side effects of cortisone shots. Knowing these effects helps you make better choices about your treatment.

Key Takeaways

• Cortisone shots can lead to insomnia or sleep disturbances.
• Patients may experience pain around the injection site.
• Other possible side effects include bruising, flushing, and high blood sugar.
• Understanding the side effects is key to making informed choices.
• Liv Hospital is dedicated to guiding and supporting you.

Understanding Steroid Injections: Types and Medical Uses

Steroid injections play a big role in today’s medicine. They are used to treat many inflammatory conditions. This is important for both patients and doctors to know.

What Are Corticosteroid Injections?

Corticosteroid injections are drugs that act like cortisol, a hormone from our adrenal glands. They help lower immune system activity to fight inflammation. This makes them strong anti-inflammatory tools.

Doctors often give them to patients with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. These injections help reduce inflammation. This can ease pain for people with arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis.

Common Conditions Treated with Steroid Shots

Steroid shots are used for many conditions. Some common ones are:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis
• Tennis elbow
• Plantar fasciitis

These conditions cause inflammation, pain, and limited movement. Injecting corticosteroids into the affected area can greatly reduce inflammation. This helps ease pain and improve mobility.

Is Cortisone Injection a Steroid? Clarifying Misconceptions

Yes, cortisone injections are a type of steroid shot. People often use “cortisone injection” and “steroid injection” the same way. But technically, cortisone is a specific corticosteroid.

Knowing about steroid injections and their uses helps patients make better choices. It’s key for understanding treatment options and making informed decisions about health care.

The Injection Process and What to Expect

Exploring the injection process is key. It helps us understand the techniques and sensations involved. Cortisone injections treat many inflammatory conditions. Knowing what to expect can make patients feel more at ease.

Cortisone Needle Types and Injection Techniques

The needle used for cortisone injections depends on the location and depth. A smaller gauge needle is often used to reduce discomfort. The injection technique affects the treatment’s success and the patient’s experience.

Needle Types: A 22- to 25-gauge needle is commonly used. The needle’s gauge depends on the cortisone’s viscosity and the injection site.

Injection Techniques: Doctors may use ultrasound or fluoroscopy for guided injections. This ensures the cortisone is placed correctly.

The Procedure: Step-by-Step Experience

The cortisone injection process is quick and simple. Here’s how it goes:

• The skin is cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
• A local anesthetic may be applied to numb the area.
• The cortisone mixture is injected into the affected area.
• Pressure is applied to the injection site to minimize bleeding.
• A bandage is applied to the area.

Immediate Sensations After Injection

Patients may feel different sensations during and after the injection. Some might feel stinging or burning, while others might feel relief right away.

Knowing about the cortisone injection process helps patients prepare. It also helps them understand the sensations they might feel.

Can a Steroid Injection Cause Insomnia? The Science Explained

Steroid injections and insomnia are linked through hormonal changes. These changes affect our sleep patterns. Steroid injections, like corticosteroids, are used to fight inflammation and pain in many health issues.

How Steroids Mimic Cortisol and Affect Sleep

Corticosteroid injections mimic cortisol, a hormone our body makes. Cortisol helps control our sleep-wake cycle. When these injections add more cortisol-like substances, they can upset our body’s balance. This might lead to insomnia.

Our body’s cortisol levels usually go up in the morning and down at night. Steroid injections can mess with this rhythm. This can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep at night.

Do Steroid Shots Keep You Awake? Patient Experiences

Many patients say they have trouble sleeping after getting steroid shots. Some can’t sleep for a few nights after the shot. How long and how bad the insomnia is can differ a lot.

People’s experiences show that steroid shots can really affect sleep. Some might just have a little trouble sleeping for a few days. Others might have insomnia that lasts longer and needs a doctor’s help.

Duration of Sleep Disturbances After Injection

How long sleep problems last after a steroid shot can vary. Usually, insomnia from steroid shots goes away once the body breaks down the steroid. But some people might have sleep problems for a long time. They might need to see a doctor for help.

It’s important to know that steroid shots can cause insomnia. This helps set the right expectations and take steps to avoid this side effect. Talking to a healthcare provider can help manage treatment and keep sleep issues at bay.

Why Cortisone Shots and Insomnia Often Go Hand in Hand

Cortisone shots are a common treatment for many inflammatory conditions. But they can also affect sleep patterns. This is why many people experience insomnia after getting these shots.

The Biological Mechanism Behind Sleeplessness

Corticosteroids, like cortisone, mimic cortisol, a hormone our bodies make. Cortisol helps us sleep and wake up. When corticosteroids change our cortisol levels, they can mess with our sleep.

Experts say that steroids can upset the body’s hormonal balance. This can make it hard to sleep well. The steroids affect the HPA axis, which controls stress and cortisol levels.

Risk Factors for Developing Insomnia After Steroid Treatment

Not everyone gets insomnia from cortisone shots. But some people are more likely to experience it. This includes those with sleep disorders, sensitivity to steroids, or other health issues.

• Pre-existing sleep disorders
• Sensitivity to corticosteroids
• Underlying health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression)
• Dosage and frequency of cortisone shots

Knowing these risk factors helps doctors watch over patients more closely. They can also find other treatments to avoid insomnia.

Differences in Sleep Effects Between Injection Types

The type of corticosteroid used can affect insomnia risk. Different steroids have different strengths and how llengthsthey last. This can change how they affect our sleep.

Triamcinolone and methylprednisolone are two common steroids. They can both disrupt sleep, but how much and how badly can vary. It depends on the steroid, the dose, and the person getting the shot.

“The choice of corticosteroid and the dosing regimen can significantly influence the risk of sleep disturbances,” according to clinical studies.

Doctors can choose the right steroid and treatment plan. This helps balance the shot’s benefits with the risk of insomnia.

Pain After Steroid Injections: Why Do Steroid Shots Hurt So Much?

Pain after steroid injections is common. It makes people wonder why it happens and what it means. Steroid shots help reduce inflammation and pain in many conditions. But the injection itself can cause discomfort.

Are Cortisone Injections Painful? Understanding the Sensation

The pain from cortisone injections varies. Some feel a stinging or burning sensation during the shot. Others might have a dull ache later. This pain usually comes from the needle or the medicine irritating the area.

Corticosteroid injections have anti-inflammatory properties. This can sometimes cause irritation and pain at the injection site.

Post-Injection Flares: Temporary Pain Increase

A post-injection flare is a short-term increase in pain and swelling after a steroid shot. This usually goes away with ice packs or over-the-counter pain meds. The flare is thought to be from the steroid’s crystalline nature, irritating the tissues before it works.

Normal vs. Concerning Pain Levels

It’s key to know the difference between normal and concerning pain after a steroid shot. Mild to moderate pain that goes away in a few days is normal. But severe pain, swelling, redness, or signs of infection need medical help.

• Mild pain that subsides within a few days is typically normal.
• Severe or increasing pain could indicate a complication.
• Signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or fever, require immediate medical evaluation.

Understanding pain after steroid injections helps patients manage their expectations. It also tells them when to seek more medical care.

How Long Do Knee Cortisone Shots Last? Duration of Effects

Knee cortisone shots can last from a few weeks to several months. This depends on several factors that affect how long the shot’s benefits last.

Typical Timeline for Pain Relief

Cortisone injections offer quick and significant pain relief. Most people see improvement within a few days. The effects can last from a few weeks to a few months.

Duration of Relief: The time pain relief lasts varies. It can be:

• Short-term: 1-3 months
• Medium-term: 3-6 months
• Long-term: 6 months or more

Factors Affecting Longevity of Treatment Benefits

Several factors can affect how long knee cortisone shots last. These include:

When Multiple Injections Might Be Needed

At times, one cortisone injection may not last long. You might need more injections for several reasons:

Recurring Symptoms: If symptoms come back, more injections might be needed.

Chronic Conditions: For long-term conditions like osteoarthritis, repeated injections are often part of the treatment plan.

We work with patients to find the best treatment plan. This includes knowing when multiple injections might be needed. Understanding these factors helps us tailor our approach to each person’s needs.

Managing Sleep Disturbances After Steroid Treatment

Managing sleep issues after steroid treatment needs lifestyle changes and sometimes medical help. Steroid-induced insomnia can really affect a person’s life. But there are ways to lessen this side effect.

Practical Tips to Combat Steroid-Induced Insomnia

To fight sleep problems, try these tips:

• Keep a regular sleep schedule to set your body’s clock.
• Stay away from caffeine and screens before bed, as they can make it hard to sleep.
• Make a calming bedtime routine to tell your body it’s time to rest.
• Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool for better sleep.

When to Contact Your Doctor About Sleep Problems

If you’re having ongoing or serious sleep issues after steroid treatment, talk to your doctor. They can guide you on what to do next and if you need more treatment. It’s key to get medical advice if sleep problems are impacting your daily life or if you’re thinking about sleep aids.

Medications and Supplements That May Help

Doctors might suggest medications or supplements for insomnia caused by steroids. These could be:

• Non-prescription sleep aids, but only with a doctor’s advice.
• Prescription sleep drugs for severe insomnia.
• Supplements like melatonin to help with sleep.

Always talk to your doctor before trying new medications or supplements. This ensures they’re safe and right for you.

Other Common Side Effects of Steroid Injections

Steroid injections can cause several side effects, some right away and others later. They help with pain and swelling, but knowing all possible side effects is key for both patients and doctors.

Short-term Side Effects Beyond Insomnia and Pain

Aside from insomnia and pain, steroid injections can lead to other short-term issues. These include:

• Skin reactions like redness, swelling, or thinning at the injection site.
• Fat atrophy, where the fat under the skin gets thinner, causing indentations.
• Temporary increase in blood sugar levels, a big worry for diabetics.
• Mood changes, such as anxiety, depression, or mood swings.

These side effects are usually short-lived but can be upsetting. It’s important for patients to know about these possible reactions to better manage their expectations and get help if needed.

Long-term Risks with Repeated Injections

Getting steroid injections more than once can lead to serious long-term problems. Some of these include:

• Osteoarthritis progression, as repeated injections might speed up joint damage.
• Bone thinning (osteoporosis), a big risk for older adults or those getting many injections.
• Tendon weakening or rupture, as steroids can harm tendons.

“The long-term effects of repeated steroid injections should be carefully considered, weighing the benefits against the possible risks for each patient.”

Who Is More Susceptible to Adverse Reactions?

Some people are more likely to have bad reactions to steroid injections. These include:

• Diabetic patients must watch their blood sugar closely.
• Older adults whce a higher risk of osteoporosis or other issues that steroids might make worse.
• Patients with a history of mental health issues, as mood changes can be triggered or made worse.

Knowing these factors can help manage the risks of steroid injections.

Conclusion: Balancing Benefits and Side Effects of Steroid Treatments

We’ve looked into how steroid injections work and their possible side effects, like insomnia and pain. Cortisone shots can really help with inflammation, but using them too much can be risky.

To make steroid treatments safe, we suggest not getting more than three to four shots a year. Also, try other treatments when you can. This way, you get the good from the shots without the bad.

Knowing the good and bad of steroid shots helps patients choose wisely. It’s key to watch how you’re doing closely. This way, you can fight inflammation well and stay healthy overall.

FAQ

Reference:

Stout, A., Friedly, J., & Standaert, C. J. (2019). Systemic absorption and side effects of locally injected glucocorticoids. National Center for Biotechnology Information (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6547517/