Corticosteroids are steroid medications that are frequently used to help minimize inflammation.  They can be administered orally, topically, or by injection into a specific area or intravascularly.  In contrast to anabolic steroids, which are those steroids that are used to build muscle mass, corticosteroids are catabolic steroids, which “break down” as opposed to “build up”.  There are no specific limits on cortisone injections, particularly if they are given in different areas of the body.  There is some evidence that more than 3 repetitive cortisone injections into the same area, such as in the elbow or shoulder, can weaken the tendons and other structures in the area of the injection.  If a patient does have substantial improvement in their symptoms after 1-2 injections, evidence shows other treatment options should be considered.