Which Physicians Perform Cortisone Shots
Multiple types of physicians and healthcare professionals can perform cortisone injections, including general practitioners, rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine specialists, radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, and in some jurisdictions, trained nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. 1
Healthcare Professionals Who Perform Cortisone Injections
According to the 2021 EULAR guidelines on intra-articular therapies, the scope of practice varies significantly by country regulations and local training requirements 1. The key providers include:
Physician Specialists:
- Rheumatologists - Most commonly perform these procedures for inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune conditions
- Orthopedic surgeons/Traumatologists - Frequently inject joints in surgical and non-surgical management
- Sports medicine physicians - Routinely perform injections for athletic injuries and overuse conditions 2
- General practitioners/Primary care physicians - Can perform these procedures with appropriate training 3, 4
- Radiologists - Perform image-guided injections, particularly for difficult-to-access joints 5
- Nuclear medicine specialists - May perform injections under imaging guidance
- Emergency physicians - Can perform these procedures in acute settings 6
Non-Physician Providers (jurisdiction-dependent):
- Trained nurses
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
The critical factor is not the specialty designation but rather the level of formal training the provider has received 1.
Important Considerations
All providers performing cortisone injections must obtain informed consent and fully inform patients about the procedure's nature, potential benefits, risks, and post-injection care 1. The procedure should occur in an appropriate clinical setting with proper equipment for aseptic technique and resuscitation equipment nearby.
Common Pitfalls:
- Assuming only specialists can perform these injections - many primary care physicians are trained and competent
- Not verifying local scope-of-practice regulations, which vary significantly by jurisdiction
- Overlooking that image guidance (ultrasound or fluoroscopy) may be required for certain joints, which could necessitate referral to radiologists or specialists with imaging capabilities 5
The choice of provider should be based on their specific training and experience with the procedure rather than their specialty alone.