...arthritis in the joint of my left thumb and the same Dr. injected cortisone into that joint 3 times over the course of about 3 year which delayed the eventual arthroplasty that he warned me the thumb would require. Those injections were extremely painful when administered and depressingly painful until they kicked in 2-3 days later. Others may have side effects from the cortisone but for me the side effects were beneficial in that I got some relief in some other arthritic joints. No problems for me with the thumb...