Joint Injection

[jackNruby2]

I have R A & osteoarthritis, I am about to have injections into the joints with the most swelling. Has anyone any idea what the aftercare is, ie, is it total rest and for how long, or is it back to normal activities

Thank you

[Amnesiac3637]

I’ve had many, many joint injections in 90% of my joints over 35 years. Back to normal activities straight away unless you’re told otherwise by whoever is doing them. Even having had steroid injections into both hip bursa recently I was told to walk as I would normally straight away.

Lots of people are frightened about having the injections but don’t be - if they’re into your fingers or knees you’ll feel a certain amount of pressure and sometimes you may experience slightly more pain afterwards but you have to give the drug time to get into the tissues and into your system which may take a day or two.

Be guided by the person giving you the injection, you may be given different advice but I’ve never been told to rest or do anything differently afterwards.

Best of luck and hope your pain lessens fast.

[jackNruby2 in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Thank you so much

[Runrig01]

I’ve had a number of steroid injections. I’ve always been advised to rest that particular joint for 24-48hrs. This is to encourage the steroid to remain in the joint and therefore be more effective. It’s my knees and shoulders I generally have done. They inject a local anaesthetic at the same time, so there is no initial discomfort. When that wears off, the pain can initially be worse, that’s just due to the extra fluid in the joint, and does subside in a few days. Absolutely nothing to worry about, each injection, gave me about a years relief

[weathervane in reply to Runrig01]

I was given the same instructions, to rest the joint for 48 hrs , this was for thumb ( I was given a splint) , knee , hip and shoulder joints.

[jackNruby2 in reply to weathervane]

Thank you

[jackNruby2 in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you have eased my mind

[Deeb1764]

when having the injections just ask anything . How long will the response be to resting, they will be ready for this .

[wilbertjellyfish]

Had my wrist done last week, two days rest I was advised, no driving. Problem arose the day after the injection. Resting isn't easy if your not used to it and I was so out of routine I forgot to take my tablets . As the day went on I got stiffer and more sore and more ill. I blamed the sitting about however by bedtime I was really not well. Saturday was spent in bed and it took till Sunday evening to feel normal. My wrist is better now, I still can't bend it but it's not sore.

So take it easy, not using the joint allows the medication to stay in joint and work better.

[jackNruby2 in reply to wilbertjellyfish]

tht's helpfull thank you

[bpeal1]

I’ve always been advised to rest the injected joint for 24-48 hours afterwards to encourage the steroid to remain in the joint. Be prepared that the injected joints sometimes get worse before they get better but they usually start improving after 3-4 days.

I would ask whoever is doing the procedure whether you should rest it or not.

[jackNruby2 in reply to bpeal1]

thank you

[Gilliancheche]

I have just received my appointment letter for an injection into my hip. It says I must not drive to or from the appointment. I should test for 48 hours and keep movement to a minimum during that time. I will need to stay in the department for 30 minutes to make sure no adverse effects. May get more pain initially but should soon settle. Am hoping for the best. Good luck

[jackNruby2 in reply to Gilliancheche]

Thank you

[Otto11]

When I’ve had hip injections I’ve always been told to rest as much as possible for 24/48 hours to keep the steroid in & around the joint if possible. Easier said than done though x

[Popinjay]

Usually when they inject the steroid the also put in a local Anesthetic so you normally get instant relief but until the swelling goes down take it easy should see results in about a week. Also don't forget steroids lower your immune system even more so be aware and maybe wear a mask when going out to crowded places

[smilelines]

my friend had one in her knee and she didn’t rest. The shot was ineffective. Who knows if it would have been effective if she had rested but I wouldn’t risk it. I have always been told to rest and to stay off my foot for several days after getting it in my toe. I do this and the shots make the word of difference.