Cortisone shots

[angeljun]

Hi, this is my first post and it's not urgent. My rheumatologist is recommending cortisone shots when we get together finally later in this pandemic. Do they hurt? Does the pain last a long time? How long does the relief last? Thank you

[DorsetLady]

I’ve had various over the years - in shoulder, hip and knee.

The initial injection is a bit sharp, takes your breath away for a second or two. Not exactly pain afterwards but joint might feel a bit sore for a few hours or so, and try and rest it for a day or so afterwards.

The relief varies - I think it depends on particular joint and how good the person on the other end of the needle is! But long enough to make it worthwhile.

My experience only, yours may differ.

[angeljun in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. This is exactly what I wanted to know. The rheumatologist on the other end of mine will be very good, I think. She is the best in Toronto by everybody's opinion, and has certainly dealt with my fibro excellently.

So I'll grit my teeth, I gather, and take it easy for awhile as you said. Mine's in my lower back, so I have my recliner ready!

[Shurra]

I've had the shots for a nerve impingement in one shoulder related to a worker's comp fall, and the undiagnosed OA just aggravated the situation. Great doctor; briefed me about everything, so I knew what to expect. (More on that in a minute). In a different situation, received these shots on the top side of my foot. Later, had bone-on-bone hip OA, needed a replacement, had to wait three months (various reasons) and was grateful to get the surgery in 2012. Hip is fine, BUT... NOW get the shots very 3 to 6 months in both knees and left shoulder. YES, they work almost instantly for me! Some people say the shots worked for about only 2 weeks, or didn't work at all, so they weighed the pain of the OA against the pain of the shots, and quit the shots.

(The shots ARE painful. But I'll continue them because they work so well for me. Here's the "devil in the details": MD or PA - physician's assistant - uses well-trained finger touching of the joint area to find (sit down for this next part) the most sensitive, painful {yes} place. MD/PA usually marks the specific area - the idea being the more precise location for cortisone delivery gives the best results. You'll know it when he/she locates "the spot." MD/PA sprays something cold & numbing on the area.

Then I look away while the needle enters, then the MD/PA somewhat "explores" with needle inside to further find the "exact" target {the most painful spot}. Finally, this is NOT a "quickie" injection, and the medication must be injected rather "slowly" since IT causes pain of its own...Slow exhale and NOW, it's over. Simple bandaid is applied and if needed, ice on the area is suggested. The whole thing takes about as long as it takes to read about it.

I mean, in my worst childhood imaginings, the elements of this/these shots{I get 3 at a time: both knees & one shoulder} could not be designed to have more painful aspects...injected into an already very painful area, needle probing further once inside, painful medication, slowly injected...Maybe there's a "rush" of endorphins release involved, too.

So, with eyes wide open, and hoping to continue avoiding double knee replacement, I gladly look forward to the shots, and I pray they continue to work. The pain of the shots AND the OA quickly evaporates. I'm not dancing, but I walk out of the medical office without pain...AT ALL. My outlook is better for months. I wish as much of a positive experience for you. And because I KNOW (for me) the pain will soon be gone from the procedure and the OA, I don't hesitate to get an appointment when I need it. The MD/PA knows how painful all of this is, so they are always kind and as gentle as possible...each one...every time.