topic Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections in Community Chat

Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

Lotus — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:25:41 GMT

Has anyone ever had one?

I have severe pain from bursitis in both hips and trying to find some relief.

My ortho suggested this....I think it's done as a "pain management" procedure.

Does it hurt?

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

Cakers1 — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:38:10 GMT

Lotus: I had 2 injections. They did not hurt; just the usual slight pinch at the start. Not sure if my doctor used a flouroscope (sp); he had my MRI on screen and went by that.

I was only told if I felt anything in my leg to let him know immediately, meaning he hit a nerve.

It took 2 for me for noticeable relief; some people need 3; they usually make you wait 3-6 months for a second round if needed, but your doctor may have different procedures.

Good luck; I'm glad I had mine.

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

Lotus — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:50:47 GMT

Thanks Cakers....did you have bursitis or pain from something else?

I have an appointment on 3/28, but I'm going to try and get back to the ortho before that because I have chronic right lower back pain too. I'm not sure if one is affecting the other. Recently I have been feeling what I would describe as "slight numbness" or a heavy feeling in my legs. I'm wondering if it's the back pain or hip pain causing that or a combination of the two.

Growing old is not for faint of heart.....that's for sure.

I'm glad it worked for you.

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

Cakers1 — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:09:04 GMT

Lotus: My MRI showed my right hip out of whack with my lower spine - did something somewhere and it also caused sciatica nerve pain.

I also had chiropractor sessions.

Have you tried Naot shoes? They are expensive but they are recommened for spine/posture issues. Cute sandals, etc. Shoebuy and Zappos have free shipping both ways, although Shoebuy tends to carry more colors.

I find wearing these have diminished my using a cane.

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

Lotus — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 23:45:48 GMT

I've never heard of Noat.....but will check them out. Thanks.

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

Lilysmom — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 09:05:06 GMT

Lotus, I get cortisone shots in the hip area. It has worked wonders for me. I get them about every 10-12 months. My doctor originally thought it was bursitis but, after the location of the last shot, I'm not totally sure. I am 59 and quite physically active. I have been getting these for at least three years. I had a chronic ache that bothered me to the point where it kept me up at night. Now, no problem. It is a great relief. No pain involved in the injection. Good luck. I hope this helps you as much as me! LM

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

jewelfool — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 18:29:47 GMT

My mother who is 82 had cortisone/epidural shot in lower back yesterday to for pain management from disc deterioration. She had back surgery last summer on her lower lumbar but her uppers are deteriorating now and the dr. doesn't want to talk about surgery yet. In any event, we were there about 30 minutes and she said it was even slightly uncomfortable to her and her pain level went immediately from a 10 to a 7. Today she's even better but is sore from the injection.

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

olivia1123 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 18:40:53 GMT

Lotus I had cortisone in both hips for bursitis. They did not hurt much and it is almost a year and I am still fine.

He did use something to guide a needle into my shoulder. It did not work, went for an MRI and had surgery for my rotator cuff.

You have been in pain for a while. Please don't be nervous about the shots - you will feel so much better.

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

Lotus — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 01:33:09 GMT

Thanks everyone....I'll report back after the shots.

Sweet Olivia....did they use the fleuroscope with your hips?

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

sfnative — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 05:05:54 GMT

Hi Lotus,

I worked in surgical training for a number of years and 60% of it was relative to Ortho. We also trained Residents in Pain Management. Both Ortho and our Pain Management folks use real time imaging (fluoroscoopy) by means of a device called a "C-arm."

The C-arm has two parts. The first part is the "tower" on which is a monitor that shows the doctor your images. The second, and largest part, is the C-arm itself, which has a base with controls for movement and the like. The "C" part is attached to the base and is either large or small, depending on whether it's a large or small C-arm. For your procedure, a large C-arm will be used. For this, you will be placed on a radiolucent table and the lower part of the "C" will be rolled under the table and the upper part of the "C" will be above you.

Yes, this C-arm does emit some radiation, so be sure to ask for a tiny lead "apron" to cover your thyroid gland, even though you'll be on your stomach.

The C-arm does not cause pain or discomfort. Your physician and assistant will position you comfortably with pillows, etc.

The best of luck to you.

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

Lotus — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:13:37 GMT

Thanks sfnative....your post was very informative....especially the part about my thyroid.

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

Lotus — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:36:42 GMT

I had my back injection last Thursday.....happy to report that (for now) my lower back pain is probably 85-90% improved.....enough so, that I was able to walk into a grocery w/o having to hold on to a shopping cart. I was also able to go for a walk up at the track.....back was fine.....hips still in pain though. So, I'm sure it is Bursitis.

I had to check in with the Pain Mgmt Dr yesterday....to report in as to how I was feeling. He said that when I was ready to call for an appointment for the cortisone shots in my hips....and of course to call if my back pain returned.

Thanks again for everyone's posts.

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

Cakers1 — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 16:08:06 GMT

Lotus: I'm glad the shots worked so well. I know the feeling about holding onto the shopping cart, believe me.

Good luck.

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

sfnative — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 20:40:22 GMT

Lotus,

The use of a C-arm or real-time fluoroscopy is essential to the initial placement and advancement of the needle that will be used to inject the steroid. The C-arm projects a picture onto a monitor that looks like a large computer monitor. The technology is really quite amazing. It will allow your physician to be spot on with the injection. I wouldn't have such an injection without a C-arm.

Good luck!

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

kdgn — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 20:49:07 GMT

Lotus- Glad to see that you've had some real relief. Now when are you scheduling the hips?

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 01:09:58 GMT

I've had cortisone shots in my neck and feet. In my neck, the actual shot wasn't too bad and I'm VERY glad with the outcome.

However, when I had cortisone shots to relieve pain from plantar fascitis, the podiatrist told me in advance that the nerves in the feet make the shots very painful ...... and feel free to swear all I want. Well, she was right. Yikes! Glad I had those shots, too, but they were much worse than the shots in my neck area!

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

Lotus — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 02:02:08 GMT

On 4/25/2014 sfnative said:
Lotus,

The use of a C-arm or real-time fluoroscopy is essential to the initial placement and advancement of the needle that will be used to inject the steroid. The C-arm projects a picture onto a monitor that looks like a large computer monitor. The technology is really quite amazing. It will allow your physician to be spot on with the injection. I wouldn't have such an injection without a C-arm.

Good luck!

I had the fluoroscopy for the lumbar spine....it was done in an OR type setting.

He will just do the hips right in the office.

kdgn.....I'm thinking about going next week.....probably Thurs. I'll call the office on Monday to make my appointment.

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

Shorty2U — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 04:51:02 GMT

I had hip injections in my right hip which has bursitis and some arthritis. They did not help me. (But my steroid epidurals and facet injections used to help me for my back issues. They no longer do but Ive gotten them for 13 years). Anyway Id try it if I were you and you are suffering. Good luck!

Re: Fleuroscope Guided Hip Cortisone Injections

baddest_dog — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 13:14:33 GMT

On 3/14/2014 sfnative said:
Hi Lotus,

I worked in surgical training for a number of years and 60% of it was relative to Ortho. We also trained Residents in Pain Management. Both Ortho and our Pain Management folks use real time imaging (fluoroscoopy) by means of a device called a "C-arm."

The C-arm has two parts. The first part is the "tower" on which is a monitor that shows the doctor your images. The second, and largest part, is the C-arm itself, which has a base with controls for movement and the like. The "C" part is attached to the base and is either large or small, depending on whether it's a large or small C-arm. For your procedure, a large C-arm will be used. For this, you will be placed on a radiolucent table and the lower part of the "C" will be rolled under the table and the upper part of the "C" will be above you.

Yes, this C-arm does emit some radiation, so be sure to ask for a tiny lead "apron" to cover your thyroid gland, even though you'll be on your stomach.

The C-arm does not cause pain or discomfort. Your physician and assistant will position you comfortably with pillows, etc.

The best of luck to you.

~R

I have had cortisone injections in both cervical and lumbar areas multiple times under fluoro and never, ever was covered with any kind of lead apron.

And I have had injections in both hips, knees, shoulders and fingers, none of those was fluoro guided and never heard of that for these areas. Spine is different because the area is so close to nerve endings but hips are mostly going through fat and muscle, and those have never hurt at all.

She would not be on her stomach for hip injections, that is for the back. Every hip injection I had (5) I was either sitting on the table or standing up and that was it.