Corticosteroid injections can quickly ease joint pain caused by osteoarthritis. These injections are administered directly into the sore joint and work by reducing inflammation. This can provide fast pain relief, often within a few hours, and the effects can last from several weeks to several months. The procedure is usually done in a doctor's office and involves cleaning the skin, possibly removing excess fluid from the joint, and then injecting the corticosteroid mixed with a painkiller. While these injections can significantly relieve pain and inflammation, they do not repair damaged cartilage or stop the progression of osteoarthritis. It's important to limit the frequency of these injections to avoid potential side effects, such as increased infection risk and osteoporosis. If pain persists, other treatments like joint replacement might be considered.