Can cortisone injections cause swelling?

After any injection, it is possible to have some localized swelling that may take a few days to resolve. The effect of the corticosteroid typically takes about 2-3 weeks and may continue to work for 6-8 weeks after. So it will take a few weeks before you see any decrease in the swelling or scar tissue that was present prior to your injection.

Cortisone injection, in my practice, is used for hypertrophic or keloid scarring and reduction in inflammation. These type of scars are indicative of over-stimulation of collagen.  Cortisone is injected to slow collenogenesis and decrease inflammation.  A decline in reddness is also noted if discoloraton has occurred.  The area injected may be swollen for a few minutes.  Following the initial edema and absorption of the fluid, the tissue should not be more swollen than pre-injection.  After a few days, the inflammation for which one is treating, should begin to diminish.  Results are exptected to last weeks, or hopefully forever.