Cortisone is the name used to describe a group of drugs commonly known as corticosteroids or steroid in short. Cortisone is used to treat pain in various parts of the body where inflammation is felt to be the cause of this pain. Cortisone is effective in treating such pain because it is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Cortisone is NOT an illegal steroid medication, such as those steroids used by some disqualified body builders and athletes.