does inflammation return after cortisone?

[Lfh73]

I had a cortisone injection into my shoulder joint last week and I’m concerned that the inflammation that’s been reduced to make me feel a little better will return after the injection wears off. Is this a thing?

[helixhelix]

Sometimes it doesn’t. I had a dreadful problem with my wrist that has never returned following a steroid injection.

But sometimes it does…no way of telling in advance tho’.

[Lfh73 in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks! I was wondering what anyone else’s experience was. I got some relief but I’m a police officer and I don’t want to go back full duty till I’m sure this is solved. If I go back and can’t retain my weapon in a violent situation (that’s how I ended up with the shoulder issue, a drunk was trying to break into a house that wasn’t his and he decided to fight me instead of letting me help him figure it out) it could be a bad situation. I was given 6-8 weeks of therapy following my injection. I don’t want to be cleared to have it return shortly thereafter.

[bpeal1 in reply to Lfh73]

I guess it depends if the inflammation was there due to the injury or because of your inflammatory arthritis. If only due to injury it’s unlikely to come back. If it was due to inflammatory arthritis then ‘how long’s a piece of string’?!

[Madmusiclover]

Mine have lasted a very long time in knee and shoulder.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Lfh73, welcome. My experience is that it has unfortunately, though each case is as different as the need for the steroid injection. I've had 2, injected from the front & the back, & in need of again as the symptoms have returned. At my previous Rheumy clinic visit the locus I saw offered a referral to Orthopaedics, but at the time my shoulder wasn’t as troubling so chose not to take the offer up. Not so now with a Rheumy clinic appointment next month so my option may be another steroid injection or, with luck, referral to Ortho, depending on the Rheumy (or locum's) thoughts. I do know I can no longer comfortably do the exercises given to do at home when I had a course of physio on it a couple of years ago & am losing strength in the joint again.

With your situation as it is professionally have you been offered anything in addition to a steroid injection, such as physio, or is this what you meant? Thinking you'll need to retain strength in it should the benefit of the injection wears off, & to also enable you to regain full movement. Or, maybe an Ortho referral would be of benefit. It could somewhat depend on who has dealt with the problem to date & administered the steroid injection, GP or specialist?

I hope you do have a prompt & complete return to normal shoulder movement etc, I appreciate how important it is for you to return to full duty as quickly as you are able.

[Lfh73 in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks for the reply. Yes. I’m 49, I’m left hand dominant, and I’ve had bicep tenodesis and rotator cuff repair on that arm about ten years ago. Was back to full strength and no restrictions after rehabbing from those surgeries and zero issues for ten years. This one work related incident with a drunk and I’m having Deja vu. My orthopedic surgeon was very assuming and told me I don’t need surgery (or won’t) and he skimmed over the labrum tear and told me he wasn’t concerned about that and said he was more concerned about the adhesive capsulitis and rotator cuff tendinitis. ?? So he gave me the steroid injection and I felt like the inflammation might have went away a little but now two weeks after the injection and physical therapy I’ve been going to, I still have a great deal of pinching and pain during the times I’m utilizing the arm to reach or shower, or do a anything other than let the arm dangle. I don’t see that the cortisone is going to fix the issue. I need FULL use of the arm for what I do. If it’s got pain and pinching, if I get into a situation like the one that caused this issue in the first place, I could end up injured worse or even the unthinkable… I need the arm back to normal. But I don’t know if he’s checking boxes for insurance purposes, to say he tried conservative treatment with PT and cortisone or if he really isn’t going to take me seriously when I say I have issues with the arm. I don’t want it, but I really feel like an injection isn’t going to solve my issue at this point and I want it repaired even though I’ll start from square one again. I’m so frustrated and my doc is supposed to be the best of the best.

Side note: 10 years ago I heard the same story, that I just needed cortisone and PT but ended up with surgery too. Same doctor.

[Runrig01]

It depends on the cause, as others have said. With an injury it’s less likely to return, with inflammatory arthritis possibly. I have had 2 injections a year apart in my shoulder, and it worked excellent in the year between them. I’ve also had my knee injected, and although it aches a little the extreme pain has never returned. Hopefully your will stay settled too 🤞

[Plumcrumble]

I suppose it depends on the damage that was done to your shoulder at the time, the steroid will reduce inflammation and hopefully your shoulder will heal itself, if not xrays etc to see what's going on. Best wishes

[Kookymare]

I've had them in both shoulders once 7 years ago , it hasn't returned .

[Gottarelax]

For me, it gradually got better until I could use my arm totally normally. That was pre-RA and about 4 years ago. Since developing RA I have it badly in my other shoulder with no mobility at all and the one that was injected still has 75% mobility.