Hi! I had steroid injections in both knees 2 weeks ago. At first it worked brilliantly, very little pain and of course I was thrilled! However, my right knee is now swollen and hot just as it was before, also very painful.
Does anyone else have experience of injections and if so, how long were they effective for?
Ta 😊
I’ve had a few which usually last me a month then ware off xxx
Hello, I have had many steroid injections into my right knee and also had them drained 5 times in the last year, the steroids usually last for me about 6 weeks, and I am currently waiting to see consultant about replacement, as it has caused me to have bakers cyst, I have had at least 3 instances where the cyst has ruptured, which is extremely painful.
Yes I’ve had a bakers cyst before, not nice ☹️. I just can’t believe my leg is so sore again! It was great to have so little pain but it only lasted a week 😩
Hi Sjhoney
I find steroid injections into joints, done with ultrasound guidance, effective, ie reduce pain and swelling somewhat, for just one month.
Definitely not as good for me as an oral steroid course.
That’s interesting. I was given the choice of either but thought injections wouldn’t have as many side effects. I’m so disappointed it didn’t work that well ☹️
It varies with each person. Injections usually mean less steroid is needed, better for the body. It can also be difficult to accurately target the right part of swollen joints, even with ultrasound guidance.
If you are in too much pain, perhaps a call to your hospital Rheumatology helpline would get you better relief prescribed.
I’m already on naproxen and top up with paracetamol! I’ll see how it goes over the next couple of days 😊
Hi Sjhoney. I've had a fare few steroid injections in different joints. Some have worked well as a 'one off' some have been repeated every three months, 1 didn't work at all, 1 in one knee was really good and repeated x2 3monthly, but the other knee the second one didn't work but the first and third ones worked well. Rheumy won't do more than three in a row x3monthly. I'm on 1grm paracetamol with 60mg of dihydrocodiene roughly 6hrly. This is plus other dmards. I get better success if I rest for 24/36 hrs after injection. I'm saying all this to explain the difference in success of injections and still needing strong pain relief. I hope you improve asap so you can volunteer next week. (Also hope the above injection regime makes sense)
How very true. All the best.
I have had a good many injections into my knees and all have worked well, have had to have them drained numerous times too, given me great relief probably for about 6 weeks. Have since had knee replacement, but still got bakers cyst, which I didn't expect. One thing the hospital always insisted on was resting for 24 to 48 hours after injection and that you try and keep off it as much as possible for that time, even that someone give you a lift home from the hospital afterwards. I have spoken to others that have had injections and they haven't had to do this at all.
I ve had one last November for my knee... the benefit lasted until around early feb it felt fantastic. I also had one in the hip to help me all round the body.. that was very effective as well. I rested it for 24 hours following the injection whicy i was told would help its effectiveness.
I am due to see my Rheumatologist on aug 13 .. i was hoping i could get an injection sooner.. but no. I can't.
I m on ice packs, knee supports, pillows, mtx at 7.5 mg and hydroxy. I cant wait to get some relief.
Hope you get some relief soon
I have had quite a few steroid injections into my left knee but they have seemed to become less effective as time has gone on. The first few were wonderful and lasted about two or more months. The last two have not worked at all and one of them was by guided ultrasound. I am waiting for a knee replacement but can't have it for sometime yet as I am waiting for a shoulder replacement first and will have to recover from that and be able to bear some weight onto crutches first. I am going to have another guided ultrasound steroid injection the week after next and just hope for a least some relief from the pain. I hope you get a good result from yours honey.
Thanks 😊. I don’t think I realised how much my mood is affected by the pain I’m in. It just gets me down, which I’m sure you understand. Also limits what I can do.
Fed up today ☹️
I’ve had the steroid injections followed the next week with gel injections that last many months. I’m due again in September.
Gel injections? What does that involve? I’m just wondering whether the pain is actually arthritis or I’ve pulled a muscle or tendon or similar 🤔
I had a couple of steroid injections didn’t work for me but did give me mega headaches ...I’m gonna give them a miss from now on
Hi, i have had a steroid shot in my hip 4 month ago an it helped. But now i been having lot of pain in my right arm so bad with my whole right side an arm i had to go to ER. They put me on ivy gave me pain shot an pain meds in ivy. I felt relief when i left but my right arm still have pain. They didn't even xrray. Week later i ended up in RA doctor office for injection in my right arm. It just let some pain off but now my right arm is full painful again. I don't know why. I go back to RA doctor in a week. I don't no what to expect. Good luck!
Good luck to you too! It’s not an easy road is it 😩
Absolutely not. Its a day by day disease. I think its affecting my digestive system now. My food is not digesting like its supposed to. An i take medication for it. added more fiber to my food. But something just not working right. So I have to go see gastrointestinal specialist. I can't give up now. I only 62 but sometimes my body feel whole lot older. At least I have some good days. I must say I never dreamed in a million years I would have to go through this.
Had five steroid jags.
The first gave relief for around ten days and the last only four days.
Like all meds, they differ from person to person.
Having said that, I had mine in the bumcheek...too many locations to consider localising it. 
I won't have any more, as the risk of side effects outweigh any benefit.
I had steroid injections but ater a few weeks had to have the one in my finger redone, actually it helped hugely and took away the flare...
Best wishes
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