Cortisone injections Advice

[Peterbishop]

Hello friends 5 months ago, I had a cortisone injection in my Knee for rheumatic,it was a great success. I even sent the Doctor a note of thanks, the pain relief was exceptional

Last week I had another , I waited until five months as I’m going on holiday a was hoping to be pain free on my jollies ,but my kneee is still very painful,it seems this second injection hasn’t worked,,, do I go back and hope for another injection,or will I have to wait 3 months before they will do another,any advise please

[sylvi]

Speak to the dr that did the injection and see what they have to say to you about it.xxxx

[Jan101]

I have had a lot of cortisone injections and you can go back and speak to the doctor who gave you the injections you may need another one.

[Peterbishop in reply to Jan101]

That sound hopeful, thank you very much

[lin62-65ze]

Hello Peter, I have had cortisone in the past, I had a problem with a joint in my big toe, my surgeon told me that if the pain returned after 3 months I would need an operation. It did return as cortisone is only temporary relief unfortunately. I had an operation and have been pain free since. It sounds to me like you need a knee replacement, I do not know what you were told by the GP or if you have a referal, I strongly advise you go back ASAP as there is nothing worse than being in pain. Hope you get pain free soon, 😊 Helen

[NeonkittyUK in reply to lin62-65ze]

I've had repeated knee injections but they work so well for me they repeat them every 7-8 months. They have kept me going when an op wasn't an option but will be in the future I feel.

[ruth_p]

They can take up to 2 weeks for the full effects to work. Unfortunately sometimes they don’t work at all. I doubt they will give you another injection now and will make you wait until 3 months. You could try contacting the doctor to see what they think.

[Pamelah5]

Hi peterbishop,

If the cortisone injection was going to work it would had started within few days, it's very doubtful a RA doctor will give another so soon you will need to wait , unless given by your gp they can be little more leanient you being patient possibly for many years. Not always a cortisone injection works 2nd time around but possibly will next time. You could go walk in private clinic as long you take a letter so they know which cortisone you were given, cost including consultation can vary from each clinic.

Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes

Pamela xx

[Peterbishop in reply to Pamelah5]

Ithat sounds promising,anything to rid the pain.thank you

[Micky007]

I was told by my doctor that i can only have the same joint done twice a year so i doubt if he'll give you another so soon.

[Hidden]

I was told you can only have three of the cortisone injections per year. They have been very good for me and the quickest one has worked has been within hours and the longest one took two weeks. However, I had one done about a year ago which didn't work at all but the next one which was given later in the year worked well. I was given another one in February and that hasn't worked either. I have been told that as time goes on they become less effective which is not good news.

[Peterbishop in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your input, it seems like it’s pot luck, somust struggle along,

[farm123]

Sometimes they work sometimes not. Did the same doctor do both as if my GP does it they do not give as big a dose as rheumy so my rheumy will fax them authority to give the higher dose. They may not give you another injection but speak to your rheumy team as they may be able to give you a short course of oral steroids to tide you over your holiday.

[Peterbishop in reply to farm123]

Yes it was the same Doctor,I suppose it’s early days, will just have to persevere,thanks

[NeonkittyUK]

Sorry it hasn't worked. I've just had one done this morning. My previous one lasted over seven months. You have to wait three months before they will entertain doing another in the same joint so I'm sorry again about that. Can you ask for hydrotherapy and get the knee mobile in that way? I'm also doing the very same just now. Good luck.

[Chalmers]

Mine have always been a great success, they always take fluid off my knees at the same time, as they get very swollen. My hospital insist that you don't drive afterwards and rest that knee from 24-48 hours, which I always do.

[NeonkittyUK in reply to Chalmers]

Yes the resting is vital. I am doing that just now.. I know many people who go back to work or don't put their feet up.

[Trulysad-76]

Hello. First off i feel for you I have injections every 3 months but my last lot I had was the most painful yet.

The pain has slowly died down and now I feel so much better, if you feel it’s getting hot or swollen then go back to the doctor.

I wish you the best of luck

[nymima01]

It’s been a while for me since I’ve had to get knee injections, because I finally had knee replacement surgery. But for about 3 years before the surgery, I would get a cortisone injection and when that wore off, I would go back to the orthopedic doctor and get a synvisc shot. Synvisc is the substance from the comb of a rooster. It worked great for me. But I would alternate when one would wear off, then I would switch to the other one. It worked great until it didn’t. Then I had to have the surgery. The surgery went well for me and I’m glad I had it done!

[Kate23 in reply to nymima01]

Hi I’m interested in your experience of a knee replacement, I’ve got to make the decision to have it done (or not) very soon. Did you find the pain post op manageable? Or horrendous... I have heard so many scary stories re the pain and healing times that I’m truly afraid to commit to one..thanks Kate

[nymima01]

Kate 23 - My experience was 100% positive. I had the full right knee replacement. I only took Tylenol for a few days afterwards. I felt the physical therapy was what would cause the pain and it was too much for me, so I did the exercises at my own pace in my own house. I felt the physical therapist was getting me ready to run a marathon, when in reality, I just needed to get around in my everyday life. My own way worked out great for me.

The first week I used a walker, the second week a cane and after that I was on my own. I drove after 3 weeks. My old knee was so far gone, that this new knee was like having a bionic knee. The scar hurt for a while until it healed, because you do have to bend the knee and do the exercises to bend the knee.

My ortho saw me shortly afterwards and I could bend my knee and straighten it to the degree he wanted to see. Now it’s like I’ve always had this knee. No complaints. It will be 5 yrs this July. I was 61 yrs old at the time. When your quality of life is so poor that you can’t do for yourself anymore and you have too much pain, then it’s time to do something about it. The injections weren’t working for me anymore. I took the plunge and never looked back. I hope this helps.