Injections for bursitus

[Suet3942]

Morning all. In November last year my consultants registrar gave me an injection in each hip as he said I have bursitis which I was confusing with pmr pain. I was pain free for about 4 weeks but developed an infection around the site on the right hip. When I saw him on Wednesday this week for my follow up I told him what had happened and he said that women should always be injected into the bursa with a spinal needle as it's longer and he wants to to it again today. He said he will give me a prescription for antibiotics just in case the same thing happens. While I would love to be pain free again I am apprehensive. Any thoughts? I am currently on 6mg pred and my esr rate has gone down to 17.

[Kaaswinkel]

One wonders why he did nt use a long needle for you in the first place if he now thinks that is appropriate for women.

I would be apprehensive too, and would nt have it done. Trochanteric bursitis is a complex matter and trying to fix it there and then with an injection is not going to fix it for you.

If that was the case there would nt be so many people suffer with longstanding pain and dysfunction in that area.

Get at least a second, and/ or a third opinion and include a trusted physiotherapist.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kaaswinkel]

I disagree - it was steroid injections that took the trochanteric bursitis from crippling to a level that allows me to walk and function much better. I agree it DOES require work on the rest of the syndrome - sometimes I think only the name has been changed to confuse the innocent (or ignorant): greater trochanteric pain syndrome. The low back involvement must be sorted out too. But there is a place for the injections.

[Suet3942 in reply to PMRpro]

Morning pmr pro. Well I went ahead and has them yesterday. He injected into a completely different area to the other Doctor and it hurt a lot more. He really took his time to pinpoint the extremely sore spot. ( i nearly hit the roof). Today I am hobbling around but it is easier than it was during the evening yesterday. I'm hoping it does the trick.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Suet3942]

Yes - my guy unerringly finds the really sore point and practically sends me into orbit! Then marks the spot. Once the nurses were trying to warn me the needle would be painful and both he and I were laughing at them - he proved he knows how awful it is, explaining to them that the pain it is to solve is far worse!

Like the needling he did last week - I've heard patients screaming from outside the room but the doctors all say they rarely have a patient who refuses a second session. It works so well. This week I can walk faster than for years!

[Suet3942 in reply to Kaaswinkel]

Sorry my post was misleading. He authorised the injections but they were done by another Doctor.

[Blearyeyed]

These infections can happen , especially if you have low immunity.

If you found the original injection helpful , apart from the infection and they have resolved the error in the needle used , it sounds as though it is worth doing again , although I understand you will feel a bit nervous after the last injection.

Just make sure you get the antibiotic script and use it as soon as possible if symptoms start to occur.

As pro says , getting some advice on how to work on improving the relief with self care of the back and hips with the appropriate exercises and self care will help .

Drinking enough water ( fluids ) before and after injections can also help reduce the localised inflammation of an injection .

[Suet3942 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you for your advice Bleary-eyed.