A cortisone injection delivers a powerful anti-inflammatory corticosteroid directly into a specific area of the body to reduce swelling and pain. These injections target localized issues like arthritis, bursitis, or tendinitis in joints such as the knee, shoulder, or spine. Whether a person can drive immediately afterward is not universal and depends heavily on the specific injection site and the combination of medications used. It is important to consult with the prescribing physician for personalized instructions before driving.
Immediate Driving Restrictions Based on Injection Location
The physical location of the injection is the most direct factor determining a person’s immediate ability to drive safely.
Spinal Injections
Injections into the spine, such as epidural steroid injections or nerve blocks, pose the highest risk. Driving is typically prohibited for 24 hours, regardless of how the patient feels. This restriction is mandated due to the risk of temporary sensorimotor impairment, even without sedation. Facility protocols often require a responsible adult to drive the patient home following any spinal injection.
Lower Body Injections
Injections into large, weight-bearing joints of the lower body (e.g., knee, ankle, or hip) also require strict restriction. The local anesthetic can cause temporary weakness or instability in the injected leg, compromising the ability to operate the brake or accelerator pedals safely. Patients must wait until full sensation and stability have returned, ensuring they can perform an emergency stop without hesitation. This period usually lasts between four and six hours, and sometimes up to 24 hours.
Upper Body Injections
For injections into the upper extremities, such as the shoulder, wrist, or hand, restrictions are generally less severe. If the injected arm or hand is primarily used for steering or shifting gears, driving should be avoided until the anesthetic effect has completely worn off. Even for these lower-risk sites, many facilities recommend resting for 15 minutes post-procedure to monitor for unexpected reactions.
The Role of Anesthesia in Temporary Impairment
The immediate restriction on driving primarily results from the local anesthetic agent included in the injection mixture. Corticosteroids take several days to begin their anti-inflammatory work, but a local anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine or bupivacaine) is added for immediate pain relief. This combination means the patient leaves the clinic with a temporarily numbed area, which impairs functional control.
The anesthetic temporarily blocks nerve signals, leading to a loss of sensation, muscle weakness, or a feeling of heaviness in the treated area. When this occurs in a lower limb, the ability to judge pressure on the pedals or react quickly is compromised, making driving immediately unsafe. Although the effects typically wear off within one to six hours, a driver must wait until the chemical effect has fully dissipated and normal motor function is restored.
Systemic Side Effects That Prohibit Driving
Beyond localized effects, certain systemic reactions can occur after a cortisone injection that make operating a vehicle unsafe, regardless of the injection site.
Post-Injection Flare and Discomfort
A temporary increase in pain and swelling, known as a post-injection flare, affects some patients and can make driving uncomfortable or distracting. While this flare-up often begins 12 to 24 hours after the procedure, any immediate, unexpected increase in discomfort can impair concentration and reaction time.
Systemic Reactions
Sudden feelings of lightheadedness, dizziness, or unsteadiness necessitate an absolute prohibition on driving. These symptoms may be a temporary physiological response to the procedure or a reaction to the medication entering the bloodstream. Some individuals also experience a temporary state of jitters, anxiety, or insomnia as a systemic effect of the steroid.
Any change in mental status, including feeling unsteady or overly anxious, compromises the necessary alertness for driving. Patients with pre-existing conditions, particularly diabetes, must be aware that the corticosteroid can temporarily cause an abnormal rise in blood sugar levels. If any of these systemic effects are noticed, the patient must not drive and should immediately rest and contact their physician for guidance.