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Cortisone injection in my knee

Posted , 31 users are following.

marie1121
marie1121

Hi,

I posted here a couple of days ago about a recurring knee problem after 2 athroscopies for cartillage problems. I have been having physio but its made my knee worse than before. I went back to the doctors today and he's offered a cortisone injection and I have agreed but now I am panicking. I have only ever had one cortisone injection before in my hand and was in agony for about 24 hours after. Has anyone had cortisone in the knee and can they let me know what to expect? Thanks :-)

3 likes, 101 replies

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  • Butterbean
    Butterbean marie1121

    Posted

    Yes I had one earlier this year, I was terrified too but it was a breeze... Didn't hurt at all and was extremely effective ....... But unfortunately the effects didn't last very long !
    • Butterbean
      Butterbean

      Posted

      Oops sorry didn't mean to end there......

      hopefully you'll have better luck and it will be longer lasting

      good luck 

    • marie1121
      marie1121 Butterbean

      Posted

      i asked the doc how long it would last and he said there was no guarantee with it and it might not even be effective at all, i was just panicky about going through a load of pain for not much relief. How long did yours last? I have read on the internet it can actually make your knee worse with each injection which is a bit worrying :-(
    • Butterbean
      Butterbean marie1121

      Posted

      I'm afraid mine was wonderful for a few days, that's all. 
    • marie1121
      marie1121 Butterbean

      Posted

      oh gosh that's not good, a few days? I was hoping for a few months :-)
  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 marie1121

    Posted

    Its been several years back but don't recall any particular after effects. I think the biggest pain was the stuff they use to numb the area before going in deep. You'll get relief within 48 hrs or it didn't work
    • marie1121
      marie1121 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      the doc has said he uses the same needle to take bloods which I have had lots of times and been fine, i think I am being more nervous because I am already in pain with it and can't stand the thought of doing something to it to potentially make it more painful, thanks for your reply :-)
  • mary83072
    mary83072 marie1121

    Posted

    I had one ... don't want to scare you ...but I found it very painful. .. had good pain relief for about 3 months afterwards.... I would still recommend. . 
    • marie1121
      marie1121 mary83072

      Posted

      sounds like my experience with it in my hand, the doc never warned me how painful it would be, it was fine at the time but within about 2 hours i was in agony and it lasted for 24 hours before it wore off. It did give me relief in my hand, but like you it wore off, and there was no way i was going back for a 2nd one!
  • Butthillrob
    Butthillrob marie1121

    Posted

    I had 2injections and was pleasantly surprised as they were nowhere near as bad as I thought. They tend to put a little anaesthetic in first then put the cortisone in. Both my injections lasted 6 months. However, as mentioned it may be a short term fix. You would need to look at the big picture if they don't work.
    • marie1121
      marie1121 Butthillrob

      Posted

      he has as good as said it will be a short term fix, I am more anxious because I don't react well to medication and am thinking this may be the same. I think i will still do it though as I wont know until I try :-)
  • jean95756
    jean95756 marie1121

    Posted

    Hi

    before I had my TKR I had a few cortizone injections until the knee got so bad that they didn't work anymore.

    I never suffered any pain from them 

    so if I was you I'd say go ahead.

    take care

    Jean 

    • marie1121
      marie1121 jean95756

      Posted

      thanks Jean, he said he couldn't keep doing them so I was kind of hoping I might only need one, well I can but hope! :-)

       

    • jean95756
      jean95756 marie1121

      Posted

      Hi 

      I wouldn't be certain about this but I think they can only give you so many

      you have to be a doctor or a nurse to know for certain 

    • EileenH
      EileenH jean95756

      Posted

      I think you can have up to 3 in a joint within a given period of time. It depends what they are being used for - if it is tendon/ligament damage they have to be restricted because they can damage the soft tissue or weaken it. If it is muscle problems it is different.
    • jean95756
      jean95756 EileenH

      Posted

      I wouldn't be able to say for sure as I have no medical knowledge I just remember my GP saying something about it 
    • marie1121
      marie1121 jean95756

      Posted

      i think i need to ask him some more questions in that case, he's told me it might not work at all, in which case there would be little point having anymore anyway. will speak to the surgery to organise it, feeling a little more positive now everyone has put my mind at rest, thanks :-)
    • jean95756
      jean95756 marie1121

      Posted

      My first injection kept me pain free for a good six months 
    • marie1121
      marie1121 jean95756

      Posted

      that's good to hear Jean, I will keep my fingers crossed for a good result myself :-)
    • kelly73713
      kelly73713 EileenH

      Posted

      When you say weaken it, do you mean, like your knee feels like it wants to give out when you're just walking normally? I have had 2, and the original pain is gone, but it tries to give out on me. Is that what you mean by weaken it?

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