Cortisone injection in my knee

Hi Marie. Funny you should ask about cortisone injection in the knee I just had one done today I've had years and years Of issues with my knee. Actually both knees I have had arthroscopy is done to both knees I've had Synvisc done twice. What happens with me is my knee swelled up terribly it feels like there's a tennis ball in the back of it what happens is why they don't know I do have arthritis but I would have not I didn't fall I didn't trigger it I don't care just happens. They aspirated approximately two shot glasses 60 cc's of yellowish fluid out of my knee after injecting a little Novocain there was a very small pin prick at the beginning but otherwise it was a painless procedure. It is only been 6 hours since the procedure and my knee feels wonderful. It generally last me for years. I have had many issues with my hands and I can testify to that having cortisone in your hands is very painful the knee joint is big enough I've had it in both knees and shoulders big enough joint to absorb that fluid injection without causing so much pain. Don't Be Afraid Marie, go for it you'll feel much better!

Hi Marie, I have had osteoarthritis in both knees for the past 6-7 years and have had probably 5-6 injections over that period of time.  I have very little cartilage left in my knees so there is constant inflammation to some degree.  My pain tolerance, in general, is moderate to good I would say.  However, all of these injections I have had have been extremely painful.  I do not have bad side effects afterwards, other than some pressure and stiffness, however, So the short duration of intense pain is worth it in my opinion.  I get quick relief from the injections.  I have had different physicians inject these whom were all very skilled.  Most use a topical numbing agent that has little effect on a deep joint injection.  I am told the medication in the syringe contains some numbing med but still the needle has to get there before this can happen.  Also, I think some has different experiences because of the reason for their injection and location of inflammation.  I have inflammation under my knee cap so the medication has to get there.  To be honest, yes they hurt terribly but I soon forget it because of the relief they bring. 

Hi Marie I'm having my first Cortizone injection tomorrow I'm a nervous wreck I keep getting hot and anxiety is kicking in and I've never had anxiety before ! So I'm with you girl woooo just hope I don't cancel I've got bone on bone I clean houses and climb lots of steps all day I been in horrible pain with one and now the other one is hurting worse i think crazy ! I've watched the you tube and I guess I shouldn't have haha best if Luck to you

Hi Marie, cortisone injections into your knees will help some...how much will be dependent on the amount of arthritis you have & how long you have had it. The injections may give you anywhere from a few days up to perhaps two or even three weeks of noticeable relief.  I speak from experience since I've been seeing an orthopedis since 2005 & have also had arthoscopic surgery.  Osteoarthritis, as your physician may have told you, is quite common.  However, when it occurs & how bad it gets depends on previous injuries and also heredity.  Both of my parents had arthritic knees & my problems began when I turned 37 yrs old & was forced to drop out of my adult ballet classes.  I've never had an injury that would have caused my arthritic knees (right is worse than left). I'm now 68 & have noticed a large progression of swelling and achy pain almost all the time since about 2008.  I do take presciption medication plus I get not only the cortisone injections about every 8 weeks, but also the Synvix Injections every 6-7 in both knee.  Prior to that there were times when my knees weren't swollen as long as I did not jog or try to do anything crazy, they did really did not give me too much trouble.  I will probably decide to go forward with a kneed replacement in a couple of years. Hope my personal story does not scare you...but my story is quite typical.

Marie, sorry I mispelled the injections that I get into my knees every 6-7 months.  It is NOT Synvix, but rather it is SYNVIS.  You can look it up online and get a good description & then you may want to ask your doctor if you are candidate.  I gathered from you post that you are seeing a GP, I highly recommend an Orthopedist instead.  You will get better information & possibly be offered additional options for treatments. Good Luck!  Be sure to ask for the lidocaine injection before the cortisone.  That will give you a pain-free experience.

Marie,

I don't know how bad your hand is hurting you.nice only had one steroid shot in my knee before. I will be getting a knee replacement in the very near future bit as my baby girl will be delivered on Jan 10th my surgeon gave me a shot to prolong the surgery for a little bit. You might be afraid of needles or just have a very low threshold for pain or your doc hit a nerve perhaps. There was hardly anything more than a micro second of pain let alone agony, and it was so worth it. Even part of my limp went away. I would not hesitate to get another one. I was very pleased with my results. Thank yoh and good luck. Also I am only 35 and ruined my knee in motorcross.

I have had MANY injections (19) including knees, hands, wrists, shoulders and spine. I get knee injections every 4 months, which is consider safe by my doctors - both my primary and my orthopedic surgeon. It provides relief each time for approximately 2-3 months. During those months, I don't overtax the knee, but try to enjoy the time I can walk without a cane. I can slow dance one song, but nothing too fast or turns. Still, I am dancing when I was on a cane the day before! For me, the knee shots are instant gratification and well worth it. I walk in on a cane and I walk out of the appt without it. Unless they hit the knee bones during an injection (injections only as good as the doctor), there is just a pinch at the beginning and usually no pain afterwards.

They have not set limits on how many injections I can get, but I can't get replacements just yet.

Hand shots are different. You should never have more than 3 in a single finger, even though I had 7 in one because they last over a year each. After 3 and if they work, have surgery (if injection helps, sign most surgeries will be a success) to avoid tendon issues. The hand shots hurt far worse than the others because of the nerves. For me, those are not instant relief. Pain getting them, pain for 24 hrs really bad, 5 days before they work and then relief. Shoulders took me ten days to feel relief. Good luck!

I have a question actually I went get my first cortisone injection in my right knee today Dr said he couldn't do both knees today due to me being a diabetic so I have to go back n 2 wks for the left knee I just hope n pray that n 2 wks the pain won't b back in the right knee too so I can Finally have a day or two or more with no pain when I walk that would b like winning the powerball.  The doc told me to put ice compress on the inj sight tonight is that something I have to do? I know I attempted it and it made it hurt I'm actually feeling relief already which is wonderful all the other dr told me I will definitely have to get dbl knee replacement since I'm bone on bone but this orthopedic told me I'm still too young um Hello im 48 yrs old I've been living in pain with this for the pain 7 years I'm ready for relief the only meds that helped me at all is ibuprofen and it's got my kidneys leaking protein the dr said how old do u need to b to get kneed replacement surgery is there an age suggestion? Thanks so much for your time