Can I Rely On Cortisone Shots For Torn Meniscus?

My doctor suspected I had a torn meniscus last year. He did an MRI and saw nothing but a small tear that was "already healing on it's own". After being on crutches for 6 months, the symptoms got worse! My orthopedic doctor administered 2 shots of cortisone at 2 different times into the tendon on the inside of my right knee. Now that area is white/red and the last injection I received was in October. It is now almost February. When I rub that area, it feels like all my muscle and tendons have deteriorated. My knee is VERY painful. Why is it red and why is the pain so intense?