Cortisone

Here's the big issue with cortisone…. Yes, it may reduce the inflammation, but it doesn't solve the issue why you're in pain to start with. Your body also builds up a resistance to cortisone, so when you really need it, the treatment may not have the desired effect. Cortisone needs to be the absolute last resort.

Have you seen a specialist (not a generalist, but a real sports Dr.)? You need to find out WHY the issue has occurred before treating it. If it's biomechanics, then you need to solve that first.

First of all, I agree 100% with Audiojan, it should be a last resort and you should try to get to the source of the problem first. How old are you? Any history of injury to that knee? Where exactly does it hurt? A lot of knee pain is related to IT band issues for example, not really the knee itself. I would also recommend a serious sports doc/ortho for help. AND if I were you, I would spend quite a bit of time with google learning about the knee, specific pain etc. You may well be able to narrow down what is causing your pain. Footstrike, shoes, IT band, etc.

The cortisone may help a lot, but it doesn't fix anything and if you don't fix the underlying problem it won't get better and may get worse. Best of luck to you!

I'm 30 years old, and the pain is generally on the outside of my knee. Some days I can run 15-20K without any pain, some days I run 2K and the pain starts. I could probably push through the pain if I needed (race day I guess) but generally will stop and walk and call it a day. I haven't seen a sports doctor, yet, but have seen and ortho and do go to oc therapy fortnightly. Up to date with shoes. The foam roller gets a lot of use. I guess I could see the sports doc next and take it from there.

I have received a number of Cortisone shots over the years in my knee and it has worked very well every single time. I am sure different people respond differently to Cortisone, but for me I am lucky and I get immediate relief that lasts for several months. Go to a sports specialist and see what they have to say.

I agree- see a sports med specialist. I had a debilitating it-band issue a few years back. I tried everything, stretches, creams, rest, ice. Finally after a few months I went and got a shot of cortisone- pain never came back. Amazing stuff, but as others have said...be careful the side effects.