I've had such shots in my shoulders several times over the past 10 years (into the back of the shoulder didn't work for me. --had to go in from the top). My doc agrees that occasional (every few years) shots are an acceptable long term approach. The shots have worked great for me. Pain goes away and doesn't return until some other trauma irritates it (demo'ing a bathroom wall has re-irritated it on two different bathroom remodel projects). Sometimes my pain goes away on its own. When it won't, I get the shot.