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Cortisone injection in my big toe for arthritis pain

Posted , 8 users are following.

janine1952
janine1952

I had  cortisone injection in my big toe today and the doctor said that if it doesn't work that I will have to live with the pain.  she said that the operation is painful and not very successful and that I may still be in pain afterwards.  I feel quite depressed at having to live with this constant pain.  I would appreciate some feedback from anyone who has been through a similar experience . I am thinking of asking to see a specialist to get a second opinion.

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • lindleyk
    lindleyk janine1952

    Posted

    What is the cause of your pain?
    • janine1952
      janine1952 lindleyk

      Posted

      Hi it started as gout. I took anti inflams and then  colchicine and it eventually subsided but the inflammation and pain remained. following X-rays the doctor said I have arthritis.
  • lindleyk
    lindleyk janine1952

    Posted

    Sorry, stupid me. 

    The thing I've noticed about chronic conditions is the huge range of approaches to treatment. If I were in your shoes I'd get a variety of opinions from different sources of treatment.

    • janine1952
      janine1952 lindleyk

      Posted

      Yes I think you are correct. I've been doing some research and in most cases it comes back to the operation. I have mentioned this to the doctor but she  didn't seem very helpful.  acouple of years ago I was referred to a specialist about my other foot and he told me "If I were you I would learn to love the bunion ". That's why I joined this forum, to get some feedback about other people who have had the operation. the thought of being in this pain for the rest of my life is depressing. I am only 62 and I love walking.
    • lindleyk
      lindleyk janine1952

      Posted

      Short story. My lovely dry cleaner guy was having severe foot pain. Every week we'd talk about what the doctors were telling him. Many different diagnoses from different (USA) specialists. About eight weeks in he stops limping and says he's found a specialist that has a treatment. This is an acupuncturist who looks at the foot and says, "broken!". My friend argues with him because none of the other MDs thought that was the problem. Acupuncturist tells him to get an X-Ray. He goes back to MD and argues them into doing an X-ray. Sure enough, it's broken... But isn't healing normally. He finds another guy who does this treatment that is common in Europe but not inUS (where we're a bit slow), they take some blood, run it thru a centrifuge and reinject the white cells in the area. Voila, no more pain, foot heals. Moral of the story, doctors rarely know everything in their field and may even be ignoring something obvious because they have preconceived ideas about what is wrong and what is the right treatment.
    • goanna57
      goanna57 janine1952

      Posted

      Depending who operates on your foot because you could be left with nerve damage, deformity and unable to wear nice flattering shoes as what happened to me 8 years ago having a bunionectomy. I asked many surgeons if they could fix it but none would until I found an excellent orthopaedic surgeon who did a scarf osteotomy and akin operation last June correcting the problem. This was done in Sydney. My surgeon has a wonderful reputation and I would recommend him to anyone and everyone. Most happy with my foot now although its still swollen and recovering from the op. Best of luck!!!
    • goanna57
      goanna57 mike57445

      Posted

      Orthopaedic Surgeon.

      Dr Fred Noah can be contacted on 46208080 at his Park Central office in Campbelltown. He's the best Orthopaedic surgeon!

  • joyce26315
    joyce26315 janine1952

    Posted

    It is ridiculous to think that in this day and age you should have to live in pain. I have found that many people and some doctors included are prejudiced towards bunion ops. Years ago they were not very successful but things have moved on.

    Yes you are in awful pain for several days after ,but this gradually diminishes and it is worth it in the end. I am nearly 3 months post op with a beautiful bunion free foot albeit still a little swollen. I would get another opinion if I were you and if possible GO FOR IT ! Good Luck !

    • janine1952
      janine1952 joyce26315

      Posted

      thank you for that.  I feel a lot more positive about pushing for the op . I'm not going to give up. I agree it is ridiculous to say to someone that they must live in pain. It's like something out of the dark ages. I honestly think that a lot of the time it is about money.  I think it is a case of those who shout loudest. 
    • goanna57
      goanna57 joyce26315

      Posted

      Many Orthopaedic surgeons don't want to do bunionectomies because of the risk involved. My first bunionectomy was done by a surgeon 11 years ago who hardly discussed the operation with me. After surgery I was in pain for many years to come having nerve damage with no other doctor wanting to touch my foot in case further damage was done until I found the best orthopaedic surgeon who fixed my foot with me now havin a screw and staple holding the toe straight. He's the best ever!!!
  • gmac1975
    gmac1975 janine1952

    Posted

    Hello. I had a similar injection a few days ago to try to help with osteoarthritis in my big toe. About an hour later it became very painful and since then I can barely put any pressure on it. I'm going back to the doctors shortly to find out what has gone wrong as the last time I had a jag like this (about 2 years ago) there were no side effects.

    What is the operation you are talking about? Fusion? It sounds like something I might have to consider myself. Something that I have found helpful is an insole with the big toe "splinted" so basically a strip of the insole goes right underneath it to offer support. Maybe worth considerating too.

    Good luck with your investigations. As others have said there are always alternatives out there smile

  • diagoro
    diagoro janine1952

    Posted

    I had a bunion removed 10 months ago, but started to get pain when walking at 2 months post op. It was misdiagnosed for six months, until the second opinion suggested it was an irritation of the sesamoid bones beneath the ball of the foot. Not sure if this would relate to your pain, but it might be something to check out. Still amazed the operating podiatrist didn't even suggest this as a problem.
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