Wellness

[Kachina624]

@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. 

[nana59]

---

@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.......

[gaga]

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.

[Shelbelle]

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. 

[hckynut]

---

@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 🏒

---

[RedTop]

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.   

[matty liz]

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.

[spent2much]

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.

[Foxxee]

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.  

[meem120]

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.