Do you need to rest after a cortisone injection in the knee is one of the most common questions Vascular & Interventional Specialists of Prescott (VISP) hears after a procedure, and the answer is generally yes for the first forty-eight hours. Knee cortisone injections are typically used for osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendonitis and post-meniscal pain, and limiting strenuous activity, prolonged standing, stair climbing and high-impact exercise during the first two days helps the corticosteroid settle into the joint and reduces post-injection flare. VISP usually recommends short walks for circulation, intermittent ice over the knee for the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours followed by heat therapy, OTC pain relievers if needed, and elevation of the leg when sitting. Driving immediately after a knee injection is generally avoided until the joint feels stable. Patients are encouraged to track changes in pain, swelling or stiffness over the following one to two weeks and follow up so the team can assess effectiveness, monitor for side effects and plan physical therapy. 
 
Do you need to rest after a cortisone injection in the knee to ensure proper recovery.