Cortisone injection for rotator cuff pain

[PastelsinArt]

Over the last month I've had a lot of pain from my right shoulder. My physio has treated it with massage and ultrasound several times without much success and said I'd probably benefit from a steroid injection, so I've made an appointment to have this done at my GP surgery. I am currently on 4mg of pred for PMR and GCA and I'm hoping this won't mean there's any contraindication for having the injection. Can you advise please?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Many have had cortisone injections for other problems [in my case for OA , but for many other issues] whilst on oral Pred without any adverse affects.. it just corticosteroid medication in a different form. In fact it might make you feel generally better for a few days… but do rest that shoulder for 24 hours or so…

Hope it helps, RC issues are a flaming nuisance - says she with feeling!😏

[PastelsinArt in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for the reassurance. It is a real nuisance, and especially at night, so I'm also suffering from lack of sleep 🙁

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No reason at all not to have local steroid injections when on oral pred - many of us have had them. Often a local injection will sort a problem without increasing the oral dose which may result in increased side effects.

[PastelsinArt in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks for your prompt response. My physio is very good but she was unsure about it, knowing I'm on pred anyway.

[piglette]

I hope it works well.

[Pixix]

I had steroid injections every year (usually more than once a year) whist on 15mg down to 2mg. No problems. I currently have a rotator cuff tear, too, but it’s too close since I had steroid injection for other problems!! Hope it helps!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

If the steroid injections are aimed at different points, you can have more. It is more than 3 per year into the same joint that isn't advisable.

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

Last time was 3 injections worth of depo medrone into the buttock. Usually I have them into specific places, but there were multiple places needing injecting & hard to choose which ones to do, as I would like them all done, so he took that route. It worked well, too, only just wearing off after 2 and a half months.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

Depot medrone injections can be done monthly - that is how they are used to manage PMR.

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I realise that…but I’m trying to get my life clear (or clearer) & stop steroids, than add more. Tbh once the warm weather comes, the heat of the sun helps really well. But no doubt there will be another injection soon…physio is suggesting I have one in my damaged knee! S x

[sidra1968]

I had one for the rotator cuff, also - and was on 16 mg at the time..no problem whatsoever.