I am having an injection in my knee on thursday, any advice?

[td09]

Hi, my knee has been swollen for over a month now, so I have to have an injection on thursday, and am a bit anxious. Does anyone have any advice on what to expect?

Thanks, Tracy x

[Hidden]

Hi, you will be fine.

I had one a while ago. The most important thing is to keep very still and calm. I know some Yoga type breathing exercises and always use them for needle sessions.

The injection didn't really hurt, more of an ache I suppose. Then a tube was left in for a while so it could drain. The result was brilliant as all the swelling disappeared and there was no more pain.

(The alarming part of my knee injection came afterwards, when the (trainee) Registrar told me it was her first time as well!)

[td09 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Phoebe, thanks for replying - am glad to hear it helped you and you had no pain! Hope you are well x

[Pands]

Hi, is it a steroid injection? If it is they put you on the bed and have a look at your knee, then the injection is done into the side of your knee - sort of under the knee cap. I have always had lignocaine injected first which numbs the area and then the steroid is injected in. If you are having your knee drained of any fluid first they inject the lignocaine and then try to drain the fluid out, again from towards the side of your knee. Then the steroid is injected into the space left.

I won't lie - it is quite painful when they are doing this as the steroid is injected in quite slowly. I tend to look at the ceiling and do some deep breathing! You will probably be advised to keep your knee as still as possible to keep the steroid in the knee area as long as you can. Once you start moving around it tends to disperse into your body and you want the maximum benefit! I was able to stay at home and loll around on the sofa for the day.

Bit of an essay but I know how worried I was before my first knee injection. I have had a few and all have been very successful apart from one. It takes a day or two for max benefit to be felt. Hope it goes well.

[Pands]

Ah - Pheobe said her injection didn't hurt! Well if you are lucky yours may not either (but mine did, but only as it was being done).

[td09 in reply to Pands]

Hi Pands, yes it is a steroid injection, thank you for letting me know what to expect - i'm glad they numb it first! I will definately be looking elsewhere (can't even look when im getting my blood tests done - and i'm sure this needle will be bigger!) I'm glad to hear yours have been sucessful.

Also, I'm meant to be going back to work afterwards - do you think that will be possible? or will I have to rest?

Hope you are keeping well x

[Pands in reply to td09]

I think they may advise you to keep your knee as still as long as possible or at least until the next morning just to get the most benefit. I had to take a day off work for mine each time I think. Nurse wouldn't let me walk to the car afterwards and wheeled me out in a wheelchair - and I had to have someone pick me up so I didn't drive! Might be worth calling before Thursday just to ask what happens after the injection.Best wishes.

[td09 in reply to Pands]

ok - thank you very much for letting me know - i will give the hospital a call to check what to expect. Have a lovely evening!

[ladydeerthorpe]

Hi Tracey, I had my R. knee done on Monday. Normal size syringe and needle into the right

side, bearable pain when needle goes in. The knee was drained and the same needle left in for the

steroid injection which was pain free. No after effects, I limped in and walked out with a spring in my step. What a difference!, I was going up stairs one at a time before the treatment and am fine now. Best Wishes.

[mille]

For best results it is best to rest knee for at least 24hrs, preferably 48hrs so would advise day off work unless you are sitting at work.

[sheenerweener]

Hi I had one in my right knee 3 weeks ago and unlike the others on here it was put in the top of my knee,it's hurt but the outcome is so worth the pain I feel great and walking lots where as before limited mobility,just a shame they found I have femoroacetabular impingement in the hip so that pain has taken over but knee is great good luck gentle hugs xxx

[td09]

Hi everyone, thank you all so much for replying - you've made me feel so much better about tomorrow! I have taken tomorrow off work so that i can rest it - i really appreciate your advice! Hope you are all well x

[FrankNStein]

Hi. I have had 10 ops in my knee since ACL rip in 1983. If you are having steroid injection then please be aware once the local anaesthetic wears off it will be painful. Better to know now because you can get your mind 'ready' so you keep control then. I'm having it in both knees on the 23rd so good luck to us both eh!

[LBW76]

All doctors and Pas are different, however I have had both knees drained (a lot of fluid!)and a steroid injection as well as shoulder injections. My prodecure pain was not bad from any doctor (some are better). If you think it will be pianful it will be! Just relax and take a breath and do not tense up. Aterwards with all that fuild gone and steroid injection starts working you will be so glad! If you need another in six months you will look foreward to all that pian relief! Much easier on your body than oral pills. Just keep think how much better you will fell.

[Momo1970 in reply to LBW76]

Omg just had this done in France in rheumatologist office, antiseptic wipe, no anesthetic local or otherwise, steroid injection & fluid drained off, I screamed the place down pain was horrifichave had fluid drained in France before lymph nodes under arm & my neck after thyroid operation seems ( neck I thought I was going to pass out ) seems normal procedure of no anesthetic here !!!!! but seems to have eased pain & movement, said he didn’t know how long it would last for.... praying I don’t have to have this done again

[Hidden]

I’ve just had my umpteenth (over several years) done this morning. Just focus on how much better you’ll feel afterwards. I won’t lie, it really hurts but DON’T hyperventilate. It’s now about an hour later and feels tons better already. Try not to overdo things because you feel better, as the bruising will take a little while to heal too.