title: Ask the doctor. I'm in my late 70s and have been getting about four cortisone shots a year for the past several years for the arthritis in my left knee. They really help with the pain, but I've heard that long-term, there could be bad side effects. Should I be worried?
authors.forename: Donald T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Reilly
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003348:Cortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000009:adverse effects; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003348:Cortisone