Originally Posted by MS Fowler

My wife has had something approaching 40 cortisone injections in various parts of her body over the years, and I've had several. Maybe my opinion has some merit.
To say it "fixes" nothing is probably pretty close to accurate. It can give some temporary relief from symptoms--and that can be very welcome relief. If the cause of the pain was something other than chronic arthritis.
It also attacks the joint itself, causing further deterioration. Now that may, or may not be acceptable given what pain level is tolerable, or what surgery may be tolerated.