topic Re: knee in Wellness

knee

matty liz — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:51:16 GMT

I have severe arthritis in one knee, in 2 weeks Dr. will inject with cortisone. Anyone had this done? Would appreciate thoughts pro and con. Thanks

Re: knee

Kachina624 — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:59:04 GMT

It may or may not give you some relief temporarily. The con is that you can only do this 2 or 3 times and it will completely lose its effectiveness. You are just prolonging the inevitable, namely a knee replacement. IMO better to do the replacement soon rather than suffer with alternatives.

Re: knee

RespectLife — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:59:28 GMT

DH had it done many times.

Painful shot....helped for about 3-4 mos. Insurance would only cover it every 6 mos.

Eventually, he had to have the knee replaced because the shots no longer had any effect on the pain.

Good luck to you!

Re: knee

cookie16 — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:10:05 GMT

I had severe pain in left hip and suffered for a year plus because I was afraid of the surgery. I had two cortisone shots and as @Kachina stated, mine did nothing and ultimately needed a hip replacement. Best decision I made. Sure it was a few months of pain, adjustment and pt, but I wouldn't hesitate again. Wishing you good luck with whatever your decision is.

Re: knee

Jk9 — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:13:03 GMT

@matty liz I had this done many years ago and it helped my knee. I didn't think it was particularly painful but they are inserting a needle into the joint space so you will definitely feel it. It was worth the discomfort to me. The injection helped the pain and inflammation in the joint. And you are getting a steroid so you have any of the side effects you normally have with taking a steroid. I can't sleep well and want to eat lots.

Re: knee

pupwhipped — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:17:45 GMT

I've had several shots back when I had a torn meniscus. I got pain relief from all but some lasted longer then others and some kicked in faster then others. None of my shots were ever painful when injected which I'm very thankful for. I do remember the very first one was weird as I walked out feeling like my knee was the size of a basketball...felt like I'd been overpumped up, so to speak. Ha! None of the others ever felt that way. Good luck, hope you get relief.

Re: knee

millieshops — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:21:52 GMT

My only experience with a cortisone shot was for an arthritic spot on a foot that made walking even a bit extremely painful, but I did not have bone deterioration. In my case, the pain disappeared and the arthritis hasn't reappeared in the same spot.

Re: knee

Foxxee — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:23:38 GMT

Both my parents get them. Mother 3-4 years and Father 4-5 years every 3 months. They are very happy with the results.

They do lose effectiveness over time. Both started at 6 months, but there are other types of injections besides cortisone that might work when it no longer works well.

Re: knee

IMW — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:40:30 GMT

I get SYNVISC {hydrolauric acid ]shots in knees every 6 months. It really

helps and unlike cortisone has no downside.

It wouldn't be helpful for severe arthritis.

Good luck

Re: knee

nana59 — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:45:05 GMT

@Foxxee wrote:
Both my parents get them. Mother 3-4 years and Father 4-5 years every 3 months. They are very happy with the results.

They do lose effectiveness over time. Both started at 6 months, but there are other types of injections besides cortisone that might work when it no longer works well.

didn't know you could get so many shots over a long period of time......

Re: knee

Kachina624 — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:48:50 GMT

@Foxxee I've had injections by a number of doctors including two pain management specialists and they all strickly limit the number of injections of cortisone because it is a steroid and there can be unpleasant, dangerous side effects of excess steroid use. Sounds like your parents are getting a lot. Most doctors will, at most, give 2 or 3 injections then refer the patient to an orthopedic surgeon for a consult for a permanent solution.

Re: knee

nana59 — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 16:02:20 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Foxxee I've had injections by a number of doctors including two pain management specialists and they all strickly limit the number of injections of cortisone because it is a steroid and there can be unpleasant, dangerous side effects of excess steroid use. Sounds like your parents are getting a lot. Most doctors will, at most, give 2 or 3 injections then refer the patient to an orthopedic surgeon for a consult for a permanent solution.

don't understand how the doctor is able to abuse this procedure.......

Re: knee

gaga — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 16:21:07 GMT

I have had 2 surgeries on my left knee. One was just Arthroscopy & the other an Emergency knee replacement. My riight knee needs to be replaced asap, however because of Covid all elective surgeries have benn cancelled. I will be getting a Cortisone shot & hopefully between that & a stabilizer brace it will keep my knee in place. I would need to go for rehab in a nursing home after my surgery like the last time but nursing homes are not accepting patients either. The only problem for me is that Cortisone makes my Diabetes go crazy, but I have no choice but to do this until I can schedule surgery. Hate this Covid nonsense & the lack of Nursing personel doesn't help either.. Nurses are quitting because of the Vaccination mandate. Hope you can get some reliefs soon.

Re: knee

Shelbelle — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 16:23:39 GMT

I had one done 4 weeks ago, totally painless, my problem is a slight tear in the meniscus, but my ortho doc wanted to try the shot prior to any kind of surgery, so far it hasnt done me much good, but arthritis is very different. The shot also contains a numbing agent so it is painless.

Re: knee

hckynut — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 16:56:14 GMT

@matty liz wrote:
I have severe arthritis in one knee, in 2 weeks Dr. will inject with cortisone. Anyone had this done? Would appreciate thoughts pro and con. Thanks

@matty liz

Cortisone shots are generally considered a temporary solution from pain. It is not something to fix a long term joint issue, like bone on bone.

My friend, who is a Certified Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon, will give only a Maximum of 2 Cortisone shots, to any injured or deteriorating joint. He told me that doing too many shots will deteriorate the tissue, and at times making a permanent solution more difficult. He specializes in only Hip and Knee Repair/Replacement.

I have had only 1 Cortisone Shot, and that was for a partially torn Rotator Cuff. It was not painful in the least. That was years ago and at times that problem still flares up. At my age I have no plans to have any type of replacement done. Will stick with exercises specifically designed to help Rotator Cuff problems.

My wife had these shots in both knees, one of which she has now had a Total Knee Replacement. She told me her shots were no more painful than any injection into her arm.

If your knee damage is severe I would assume your doctor might refer you to a Knee Specialist, or have you had an MRI of this knee done already?

Age and overall health and physical fitness, can play a big part of a recovery if one is eventually going to need that TKR surgery in the future. As I said earlier, Cortisone is generally, at best, a temporary solution.

hckynut 🏒

Re: knee

RedTop — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 16:54:27 GMT

My husband has been receiving cortisone and Synvisc injections in his bad knee for 4 years. He has less pain and discomfort for about 6 weeks after the shot. Surgery is not an option in his case.

I also had cortisone and Synvisc injections in one knee prior to replacement surgery. The first cortisone shot lasted quite awhile, the second and third shots lasted about 2 weeks, so that was not a good treatment option for me. Synvisc came into the picture far too late to be of benefit to me, but the injections are keeping my husband mobile.

Re: knee

matty liz — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 17:21:08 GMT

Thanks to each of you. It can be individual reactions but I appreciate the thoughts to contemplate. You each gave me knowledge I can use, thank you.

Re: knee

spent2much — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 17:23:02 GMT

A cortisone injection used to help my knee a lot. I received an injection several times until it just didn't help any more. Then I had a total knee replacement. Personally, I would put off surgery until you can't any more.

Re: knee

Foxxee — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 17:28:01 GMT

This orthopedic surgeon is highly regarded in his field. He's head of the Orthopedic Dept in a well-known university hospital and is the doctor for the football team treating and operating on bone injuries. He's also a professor teaching at the university's medical college.

He'd be a fool not to follow approved protocol and wouldn't last long in his positions.

There are 10 doctors in the orthopedics dept. He's the only one who consistently gets a rating of 5 out of 5 from patients.

I've seen some doctors fool us, but I think this one is the real deal.

I know the dangers of long term steroid use, but my parents are showing no signs. They are closely monitored by their internists and other specialists, as well.

My parents do not qualify for knee surgery. My post was to let the OP know if she prefers steroid injections now, there's a good chance pain can be relieved longer than with just a few injections. If she doesn't have any health issues causing complications during and after surgery, then I would recommend a knee replacement because she will eventually need one.

Thanks for the warning, though. My parents are doing fine.

Re: knee

meem120 — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 21:25:36 GMT

Everyone is diffrent. I had the shot in my knee over 2 years ago and have never felt any pain after that. I am currently having shots in my lower back and relief lasts only about 2 1/2 weeks. So you just never know.