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Cortisone injections

Posted , 2 users are following.

stephanie53613
stephanie53613

Hi, I'm just doing some research at present regarding Cortsione/steroid injections into the shoulder joint within a 12 month period. 

How many injections in a year is classed as too many without any noticeable improvement in the symptoms? Injections both in clinic and in theatre as part of an MUA or EUA. 

Thank you. 

 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • thechefshat
    thechefshat stephanie53613

    Posted

    Opinions vary on this so it's worth considering the typical scenarios and an alternative treatment.

    Typical scenario might be one injection. This either helps permanently, helps temporarily or doesn't help at all.

    Regardless of the outcome, there is little case for repeating the treatment as there is unlikely to be a benifit and you run the risk of weakening tendons. If relief is temporary or there is no relief, then there is another problem that needs addressing.

    However, you can try Hyualronic Acid injections as these offer similar relief to some patients and don't carry any risk to tendon health. They take a bit longer to work - two to four weeks - but the affects are longer lasting.

     

    • stephanie53613
      stephanie53613 thechefshat

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. In a period of 9 months I received at least 9 cortisone injections. Severe reactions on nearly all occasions. But like a fool I trusted the medics that they knew what they were doing. 4 years later I was diagnosed with degeneration of the bicep tendon. Requiring major surgery. Seriously thinking that the cortisone injections are the cause.
    • thechefshat
      thechefshat stephanie53613

      Posted

      Are you in the UK or in the US? I know that in the UK, that would constitute a negligance claim. Nobody here in their right mind would prescribe monthly injections in the same region.
    • stephanie53613
      stephanie53613 thechefshat

      Posted

      Nearly UK but not quite.

      They weren't quite monthly. As twice I had 3 shots in one go whilst in theatre. Unfortunately I had no knowledge of the implications of too many injections and the possible side effects at the time. I was in too much pain after an accident that when a hospital doctor offered a possible cure to my pain I just agreed. I fear the hospital will say that I could have refused treatment but didn't. I consented. So no issue.

    • thechefshat
      thechefshat stephanie53613

      Posted

      Depends on whether you were informed of the risks at the time or not. If you weren't, then you were consenting in the absence of the knoweldge of a risk.

      You might want to talk to someone about that.

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