Steroid injection in hip

MaryPat, 

I had my first steroid injection in 8/2015 in left hip, then another one in 2/2016.  In 4/2016 set the replacement date for 6/2016 and the 6 weeks before replacement were quite painful.  Recovery was so easy, back to work and tennis at 4 weeks.  I wish I hadn't waited as long as I did for replacement, no reason to put it off if u get to that point.  I am getting other hip done in January, because I will have knees in my future.  I can't wait to get the other hip done as the new one is sooo much better, superior range of motion with no pain. Good luck to you. 

Susan 

I had it in each hip it worked very well for me. Then a few years before had my knees drained & cortisone shots in them also, it took longer but it worked for them also. So good luck, can figure out why they didn't do it right then for you?

Injections seem to be the course of the day with orthopedic surgeons, In reality, they only serve to act as a bandages while temporarily reducing inflammation but with long term damage to the bones.  Hip replacements have become more advanced these days with more success in recent years, I wonder why your doctor is not ordering one. I realize you would want to put it off, but please think about the damage the shots are doing to your bones.

I am dealing with an arthritic shoulder which is causing pain 24/7 and loss of ROM. I was given a steroid injection 3 years ago and it did more harm than good - but, that is with the shoulder. 

Good luck with your treatment. 

I was diagnosed with oesteo arthritis in my hips about 5 years ago when i was 50......because i was young to have a replacement i went to physio ....aqua physio and had a couple of x ray guided injections in my hips .....

The injections did help at first .....but eventually a total hip replacement was the solution.

Beaware that in the uk if they wont do a hip replacement if you have had a steroid injection in the previous 6 months because there is a small risk of infection.

I had my left hip replaced in march 17 and had a difference in leg length ....had right hip replaced in july and it has changed my life! ( i am 55).

Because replacements only last 15 to 20 years.......but i wish i had mine done a little earlier than i did.....i was walking with sticks for 12 months.....now i am a proud owner of a fitbit and regularly walk 10000 steps

Hi Mary, I was offered, and had several steroid injections in the 2 - 3 years prior to my recent replacement, and asked for them several times when I was desperate. I understood they are thought to help reduce inflammation, although my surgeon also pointed out that they don't work for everyone. Done under live imaging with local anaesthetic, it is put in through the groin. A little uncomfortable, but bearable. I had varying degrees of both success and failure, and on occasion I felt it actually made things worse! When I finally saw sense and realised we were wasting time, and things would never be as they were I asked for replacement. I haven't seen my surgeon for follow up yet, but understand that the joint was very bad. I don't know if by putting replacement off I made things worse? I never want to be in pain like that again, and honestly wouldn't waste the time and potentially worsen the joint making future replacement more complicated again. I would say have a couple, you will be guided by how frequently both by your response and your surgeon. After that - go for the chop and give yourself the best chance of good success and least pain. Win, win 

THANKYOU ladies for your kind wishes......I WAS on the NHS (uk national health service) list for hip replacement......but there was hiccups ....during a consultation I told them I wanted to try to delay surgery and try everything and was regularly going to an oesteopath so they took me off the waiting list for surgery......I was fortunate to be able to use husbands private health and saw the surgeon I was under on NHS......

U.K. NHS was a 5 month waiting list ....saw consultant on Monday he suggested doing surgery Saturday?!?!?

That's money for ya!!!

There's no harm in trying the steroid .....mine was just "uncomfortable "....not really painful ....but remember if you know surgery is the final solution give it the best chance .....try to keep mobile prior ....and after surgery ....be aware of exercises AND DO THEM......

I was soooo apprehensive prior to first hip replacement.....the second one I was "knocking the door down".....best thing I had......age was on my side....

Good luck on your journey .....

Don't be afraid ....ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I DID!!!

It would be great if my hips last 30 years (as some have said).....

Since hip replacement I have lost 20lbs.....I am happy - relaxed - and feel like a spring chicken!

It's all good!

Hello again

Thanks ever so much for all your replies....Its always useful to hear what other people's experiences have been.

At my assessment they kept checking to see if they had the right patient...i was asked several times to confirm my identity(A lot more than they usually do)...I eventually enquired why this was and the reply was that my x ray was showing quite bad arthritis in the right hip but my symptoms were not corresponding to that...they had expected me to have severe groin pain and to be using crutches or at least a stick.....I do have a limp at the moment and I do have problems walking any distance and I do have pain but so far I haven't needed crutches/sticks and I have no pain in the groin area. The doc said he would for the meantime treat my symptoms and not go by the x ray which is why I have been booked in for the steroid injection.

I also have PMR and have been on steroids for the last 4 years. At present it is reasonably under control and am on 4mg which is a fairly low dose...but I reckon the prednisolone has probably masked the osteoarthritis and now that my dose is lower the pain from my hip is becoming more apparent.

I agree that the injection is a delaying strategy as some of you have said and I think a hip replacement will be the way to go in the not too distant future. Hopefully I will have time to reduce my pred dose even further

 in the meantime

dawn10345 you made me laugh when I read that you were now the proud owner of a fitbit....I hope one day soon to be able to rejoin the fitbit club too

 I'm a bit late in replying to you , MaryPat ! I had a steroid injection on Thursday morning - I was dreading it but I was amazed  at the relief it gave me - I walked out of that surgery a new woman , the effect was instant . 3 days later I am still  delighted , no pain  , no after effects at all , it's like a miracle . I wish they'd offered me it 4 years ago as my whole body is out of alignment .  I hope the effect continues and I get back to my old self . I know things might revert - how are you  2 months down the line ?

Well...I had my cortisone shot  2 weeks ago . It was very painful and so far not really successful. I am still in some pain and still limping although my painkillers appear to be slightly more effective. I  go back to the hospital end of December. Apparently it was a diagnostic test as the doctor isn't convinced that it is my hip causing the problem...so the story continues.......

elizabeth04821 I am really pleased it worked for you and I hope it continues to do so. I think when it works it works well...if you see what I mean