Steroid injection in my knee has made it worse.

[Kershon]

Morning everyone. I had another steroid injection in my knee nearly 3 weeks ago and it has actually made it worse. The one started with a bakers cyst 18 months ago and has been swollen ever since but not just out the back of the knee. It now has more swollen lumps on it and much more painful to walk on and started cracking on every step. I am waiting for a hip replacement on the same leg so this has made walking even more painful/limiting. I did my hisoitals RA helpline a week ago but the nurse just said take pain killers, which I already am anyway so not sure what to do. Has anybody else had this? Will it gradually improve on its own?

[Madmusiclover]

Sorry to hear this. I’ve only had the one knee injection and it was fine. Hoping it settles down for you. Worth a call to your GP?

[Kershon in reply to Madmusiclover]

My gp was never interested from the go. Would just say contact the RA team.

[Madmusiclover in reply to Kershon]

Oh how annoying. I’d push for an appointment. Rheumatology should be interested in any OA too. In fact any joint pain. Keep pushing. Not least the physio needed after hip replacement needs a functioning knee. I speak from experience.

[rabbits65]

How very disappointing for you, give it time it might settle back down . I find my knees have good days and bad days . I cannot understand why the steroid has made it worse .

[LoneEra]

Personally I would push for a scan on the knee. It’s the only way to tell what’s actually going on. In the meantime, you could try out some knee supports and very cushioned shoes x

[Kershon in reply to LoneEra]

Thank you I will see if I can speak to somebody about a scan x

[springcross]

HI Kershon, I agree with LoneEra about pushing for a scan, that cracking sound could be a problem with the meniscus particularly as it's badly swollen. I had a similar problem a few weeks ago (not half as bad as yours though) with a BC and developed bad swelling on the outside and top of the knee too, x-ray just showed fluid and signs of OA but my Rheumy doctor said it sounds like degenerative meniscus and suggested to my GP that if it continues then an MRI may be indicated . These are just my symptoms which are quite similar to yours so a scan would be the way to go to be sure. Good luck as it sounds like you're really suffering. x

[Kershon in reply to springcross]

Thank you. X

[DelicateInput]

One of the quickest ways to get a scan done is to see a physio (privately, as you will wait a long time for the NHS). My friend did this as her knee suddenly gave way. The physio said it was a mensicus issue - I can't remember exactly what and she should have an MRI. She then went to the GP and told him what the physio had said and he arranged an MRI at a local orthopaedic NHS clinic within a week.

[Kershon in reply to DelicateInput]

Thank you I will look into this x

[Green230461]

My steroids injection made my knee worse. Xray showed inflammation and bone on bone rubbing so no injection in the world can help. Rheummy put me on baricitinib and pain has gone but I expect bone rubbing continues

[Kershon in reply to Green230461]

OK thank you what is baricitinab please x

[Hidden in reply to Kershon]

It’s a Jak inhibitor a different kind of biologic( relatively new). I call it my magic pill . RD so much improved and no side effects.😁

[Kershon in reply to Hidden]

Ah OK. I am now on tociliizumab (3.5 months) but it hasn't touched the knee but dies seem to have worked on hands elbows etc hence the Injected the knee again. They tried rituxumab which did nothing and was on humira, but that stopped working when they swapped it for a bio similar and that was what started all this trouble. 2.5 years later and I now need a new hip and knee still swollen!

[Green230461]

It is a biologic. One little red tablet a day and I am a new woman. If it is offered say YES 😎

[Kershon in reply to Green230461]

They actually said to me "which one do you want to try now" picked the tocilizumab but there is no way of knowing which would be better it's suck it and see. I was in remission on humira for 12 years untill it got swapped. How I rue that decision!

[Green230461]

I was on humira for ten years then caught shingles and it just stopped working. They put me on baricitinib because I had a reaction to methotrexate so toox not great apparently but as we know -it’s just lucky dip with RA😀

[Kershon]

Yep, nightmare!

[Mmrr]

Sorry to hear this 😥