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long term side effects of cortisone injection in the knee

Posted , 3 users are following.

emmanouil51484
emmanouil51484

Hi, I would like to ask a question to people who have had cortisone injection in the joint (with xylokaine) some time ago. The doctor did two in my knee in just 4 days for absolutely no reason - the knee did not have a serious problem - and I got very worried when I started reading about the chondrotoxicity of the cortisone and the effect it might have on the joint. Did anybody experience a bad situation that could be attributed to damaged cartilage because of the cortisone? Thank you very much.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 emmanouil51484

    Posted

    I had my last one in Feb of this year.only needed one and I'm sti) doing fine without much discomfort. I've never considered injections to be anything but temporary but any pain relief you can get without surgery is worth it. As far as permanent damage I dont think I've ever noticed anything that would indicate that. Everyone is different and consequently reactions th k meds are different. One example, the drug Gabepentin is widely used for nerve pain and for most can be used in large doseage without consequence. Pain clinic Dr's prescribe it up to several 1000 mg. daily. One of my relatives can't handle even 300 mg daily as it causes grastic distress.......so something as poweful as a steroid is really a crap shoot

    • emmanouil51484
      emmanouil51484 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      i guess if there are some bad effects they may even be mild or not felt soon. I have read of a study where cortisone had good effect for the first 6 months but then checked after 12 months those who did not take cortisone were better than those who took. I have also read that cortisone kills chondrocytes (the cells that make cartilage) and if this is the case, i suppose it will affect the normal functioning of the joint and the results can appear after a couple of years maybe. That' s why i am asking about an injection which happened long time ago and if people noticed something or had an issue diagnosed with MRI etc. Thank you for your response.

  • corina54836
    corina54836 emmanouil51484

    Posted

    Hi, I know this discussion was a while ago but I’m struggling to find any answers online anywhere. My husband has a cortisone injection in his knee over 3 months ago it is the 3rd one he’s had with previously no problems. He was ok for a few days but has been in agony ever since. His knee is swollen and warm. He has been back to his surgeon who has told him it’s a reaction that will go away in time. (They have given him a blood test to rule out infection). It isn’t getting better and despite asking he’s getting nowhere. It does seem as though the knee is damaged and every so often my husband does something that makes it worse, if he twists it by accident or kneels by accident, he cannot put weight on it. If it was a reaction then surely it would have started immediately and have gone after a few days but it’s as bad as ever and he says it feels like it’s ripping. He’s tried again to see his consultant but can’t get in for 8 weeks. The affect on his mental health with the pain is also worrying. We cannot find anything written anywhere about long term affects or possible damage.

    id be very grateful if anyone could provide any ideas.

    thanks

     

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