Is it ok to have pain killing injection in knee as a primary lymphoedema sufferer?

[gertieday]

I was told a few years ago not to have injections in legs because of cellulitus. I have suffered cellulitus and have had primary lymphoedema since 1994.

[norberte]

hi gertie

i've had cortisone injections in my shoulder, which is a cellulitis risk for me

it's about comparing risks & potential benefits, isn't it? i decided that the constant pain from impinged nerves was so bad i was prepared to risk it - BUT i take penicillin every day as prophylaxis against cellulitis, & if you don't i'd suggest you consider it for a couple of weeks to cover you

i also insist on absolutely as sterile as poss procedure - most injections into joints are done fairly casually, with no problems, but not for us lymphies so i insist on iodine on the skin before & after, with a proper dressing (usually with a squeeze of savlon in it) that i leave on for a couple of days

my rheumatologist thought i was being completely over the top when i said that but, as i said to her, she's not the one who'll get cellulitis if the bugs get in & just refused consent till they did it my way

cortisone works more or less well on different people, too (i'm assuming that's what you're talking about) - so all you can do is get all the info then make a decision &, if you decide to go ahead, minimise risk, keep an eye out for rash and / or temperature & hope for the best

hope that's useful - so far i've been ok every time even tho i'm pretty good at getting cellulitis . . . but you might be even better at it than me!

[wenmarlaine]

I HAVE HAD A TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT ON MY LYMPHOEDEMIC LEFT LEG HAD EPIDURAL LEG TOOK A LONG TIME TO HEAL, HAD THE IODINE OINTMENT BUT I AM FREE OF PAIN IN THAT LEG NOW AND IT HEALED WELL.

[unlucky in reply to wenmarlaine]

ive been waitng 6 years to have a knee replacement and now they tell me it cant be done because i have lymphodema in the same leg you was very lucky to get it done best wishes heather