1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Hip Dysplasia and Disorders

Excessive fluid release following corticosteriod injection right thigh - is this normal?

Posted , 2 users are following.

lawrence46117
lawrence46117

Six weeks ago I underwent an ultrasound guidance injection of bupivacaine and corticosteroid into the region of the right trochanteric bursa. I was informedd that the injection would take 2 - 3 days to "kick in" and "you should be right after about six weeks".....WRONG! The pain in the area of the bursa is worse and I have trouble sleeping. Standing doing housework - cooking, dishes etc - causes shooting pain to thigh and hip. As for walking - 10 metres is the limit! My concern though, is the amount of fluid which was released when the needle was extracted - it literally flooded the surgery bed. Is this a normal reaction to piercing the bursa? I have had four similar injections to my right shoulder AC without the waterworks.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • jp66967
    jp66967 lawrence46117

    Posted

    It seems that you had a true bursa (or bursa like phenomenon, such as a ganglion).

    True "trochanteric bursitis" is rare. This type of pain is usually caused by an entheseopathy at the gluteal insertion.

    The ultrasound would have demonstrated the existance of this fluid. The radiologist could have injected a small ammount of contrast to demonstrate the origin of the fluid - not to do so was remiss. Was the fluid sent to the path lab?

    I suggest that you talk to that radiologist (assuming it was a radiologist, which it should have been) asking for further clarity.

    • lawrence46117
      lawrence46117 jp66967

      Posted

      Thank you for that information jp. From memory, I had an initial scan which showed the existance of a fluid sac in the bursa. The ultrasound guidance injection of bupivacaine and corticosteroid was conducted at the the radiologist's. I watched the screen and could see the needle entering the fluid sac (pointed out by the Dr - very kind of him....NOT!) and the bupivacaine and corticosteroid mixture being administered. It appeared as a darker coloured swirling mix. It  was only after the needle was removed that the excessive fluid appeared on my thigh. All the Dr/radiologist did was supply a paper towel to wipe it off. I assumed at that time that everything was normal. It is only since the pain has persisted/increased that I have concerns. As an aside....I had an appointment with my neurosurgeon, and am scheduled for MRI of lower spine L2-L3, for this afternoon.
    • jp66967
      jp66967 lawrence46117

      Posted

      A true trochanteric bursitis is often an expression of rheumatoid arthrosis.

      It might not be wise to confine a lumbar MRI to only two segments, since exact clinical identification of the troublesome segment is dificult.

    • lawrence46117
      lawrence46117 jp66967

      Posted

      Just to clarify. My referral for MRI is for lumbar spine. The clinical notes reference (R) L2 or L3 pain, ? n. root compression. I do have a disc bulge at L5.
    • jp66967
      jp66967 lawrence46117

      Posted

      The majority of people in Sainsbury's this morning probably have "disc bulges" at L5/S1 without being aware of it.
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.