Steroid injection in knee - worth it?

[rmros]

Hello. I have inflammatory arthritis and have had knee pain for a few years, and a baker's cyst in my left knee. Scans also showed osteoarthritis and some mild effusion a year ago.

Sometimes the pain is quite bad, especially on stairs. Sometimes it's only aggravated by activity. Sometimes there's barely any pain at all. I suspect the pain is mostly caused by the osteo rather than my inflammatory arthritis.

After 3 years of complaining of this pain, and two scans, I was finally offered a steroid injection in December but the appointment never materialised. When I spoke to the rheumatologist in June it seemed she hadn't made the referral at all and referred me again.

Now I've got an appointment on Tuesday for an ultrasound-guided steroid injection at the hospital.

The trouble is, my knee is fine at the moment. I get barely the faintest twinge, mostly no pain. It's the best it's been in 3 years.

I know this pain-free period won't necessarily last, but is there any point in having the injection anyway? The osteoarthritis will always be there, but can a steroid do any good while there seems to be no inflammation?

I don't want to miss my chance of helping my knee. But I don't want to go through the inconvenience of having the injection if it's pointless - especially with the risks associated with going into a hospital and having an immunosuppressant.

I'm not sure how easy it is to just rebook at this stage - and I'd potentially be in the same position another time.

Anyone have any thoughts on whether it's worth going ahead? Thanks.

[Madmusiclover]

I can’t advise you but my experience of this procedure was transformational. Worth trying to move appointment? Happens to me with my tenosynovitis. Just as I’m going to get the steroid injection….it improves. 😏

[rmros in reply to Madmusiclover]

Thank you. That's promising at least. The trouble is I don't get the option of when the move the appointment to. Or whether they will even let me at such short notice. I only got the appointment letter a few days ago. I think giving such short notice to patients in August is just asking for trouble.

[rmros in reply to Madmusiclover]

Can I ask, did you have problems walking afterwards? The letter was vague and only said "You may need someone to drive you home". I was planning to get a bus home (I only live a mile from the hospital and don'tknow anyone with a car nearby because I live in London).

[pauluk60 in reply to rmros]

i never had any probs with driving after inj as for appointment look at letter mine usually as a number to ring to change or cant make it never had to use but did it for neighbor no probs as regards injection well dont want to knock it well least said some peeps swear by it try it c if you change app tell them to go as far in front as poss i am in same boat as you what painkillers do you take theres few new treatments i have heard about whether there open to you or me i dont know but i am at stage 4 they say s o its getting harder to get about

[Madmusiclover]

Can’t remember but don’t remember having difficulty walking. I’d get the bus.

[CagneysMum]

Early on when trying to get my joints to settle and respond to the drug regime I have had ultra sound injections (at different times) in my ankle, knee and shoulder). Results have been worth the discomfort of the injection, and I’ve not needed to repeat them. Each time I was instructed to rest the joint for 24 hrs and to avoid walking on it. After the ankle injection I was wheelchaired to my husbands car .. not allowed to walk on it at all other than to go to bed or the loo. The steroid needs to settle in the joint so movement should be avoided for 12 hours where possible. Just be prepared … arrange a lift or taxi if possible rather than the bus …. Make some sandwiches and have some cold drinks to hand … line up your favourite box set on the tv or a good book and stretch out on the sofa …. Would be my advice 🤷‍♀️

[sylvi]

I don't know if this is relevant, but last week i had steroid injections in both thumbs and it has helped me no end. xxxx

[rmros in reply to sylvi]

That's good to hear!

[Honeybee61]

Great advice off CagneysMum. I was going to write similar. Unless bus is door to door, I too would arrange lift/taxi and definitely rest. Good luck! x

[helenlw7]

From my point of view, the injections are life changers. I’m fortunate enough that my gp does the injections and I can usually get one done within a couple of weeks. I have rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis in my knees, and I’m on the waiting list for a replacement of my right knee.

[pmcc63]

3 years ago I was suffering from terrible knee pain/hobbling about and unbeknown to me I had developed a large Baker cyst in my left knee that ruptured into my calf when I was abroad. I ended up at A&E because the intense pain, heat and redness in my calf was mimicking a DVT. A Doppler scan confirmed a ruptured Baker cyst so a relief not to have a DVT bug it left me struggling to walk for a couple of weeks and in excruciating pain. The cyst came back so now whenever I feel it playing up/twinging/getting big I contact my rheumy team and either get my knee drained or get a steroid injection to prevent another rupture. I would advise you to go ahead and take the steroid shot or ask about getting your knee drained instead if more appropriate to do that as you certainly don't want a rupture at some point. Good luck! 🙏

[embroy]

I have had the steroid injection in both ofirst my knees, first one was very painful, as I had snoviyal fluid in my left knee, then was given injection on right knee and there was nothing in the right knee. I am glad I had it,and now I can walk as normal. Hope this is helpful, and all the best.