Steroid injection into joint

[Beckywood89]

Last Friday I had a steroid injection directly into my wrist joint. It was very unpleasant but the doctor assured me it would be worth it. It’s been a week now and my wrist is as painful as it ever was. Do I need to give it more time or has it been a waste of time? I’m gutted if it hasn’t worked, I can’t take many medications while breastfeeding so I was pinning my hopes on it a bit

[sylvi]

My advice darling is ring your rheumy team and see what they have to say.mxxxx

[Ruth12345]

They vary in how well they work as I understand it. I have always been one of those people who they work for well to very well, except for when I didnt rest the joint after having the injection. A few years ago on this forum someone told me ithe less you rest the joint for the 24hrs after having the injection the less it is likely to be affective. No idea if that is correct for everyone and I know for some people on here they just don't work. I do wonder if it also depends on how well the placement of the needle is when the injection is given. As sylvi suggests have a word with your rheumy. You could ring their help line.

I wish you all the best.

[Soundofmusic52]

Hi ya mine took about 10 days to work I gave up hope and rang consultant after week. But no it just took longer been fine now for 6 months still get twinge now and again but nothing like it was 🤞

[Downtime]

I have one in my big toe joint every so often and I find they take longer than a week to take effect. I don’t find resting it afterwards makes much difference.

[Libluce8]

I had wrist and thumb injections nearly two weeks ago, wrist much better within days but thumb is more painful than before injection - spoke to my physio who said it takes two weeks to notice a difference but that it can either stop the pain, make no difference or make it worse - this is first time in all years I’ve had thumb injections that it’s not helped - hope yours settles soon

[mairtea]

I had an injection into my wrist when I was first diagnosed, to help with pain till my medication kicked in. I was told to rest the joint, even wear my wrist splint. I certainly felt the difference after a few days. I also had a steroid shot in the backside after a recent flare - again, that took several days to make a difference.

[Garnacha]

I had another steroid injection in my shoulder about 3 weeks ago, previously there was improvement after a couple of days, this time over a week later it was still as painful as before so emailed the consultants secretary to ask, came back with it can take longer than a week so give it another week, have to say it definitely improved with a slight twinge still, hoping that'll improve too x

[Calph]

Hi I had a wrist injection about eighteen months ago and gave me good relief for about 8 months which was great. Had another one this August and it’s done absolutely nothing. I was very disappointed after the first one worked well. It did take a couple of weeks with the first one before relief. I do agree it isn’t pleasant but as the first one worked well thought it was worth trying again. Not sure if I will bother again. Hope yours kick in and you get some relief.Regards Carol

[mistymeana]

Hang on in there for a while. My first injection into my hip worked really quickly but the second one took nearly two weeks to kick in. Hopefully you'll start getting some relief soon.

[Bojedo]

When I had my wrist injected, I had two injections - one to each side of the wrist. The rheumatologist was seeing the need with the ultrasound in more than one area. I bring this up, because the suggestion to contact your rheumatologist is sound. Yet, it can take longer in some instances for the steroids to reach their effectiveness.