Cortisone Injection.......did it work for you?

[jcherskine]

After 4 months of continual pain, I visited the physiotherapist yesterday for a Cortisone injection in my shoulder, as the physiotherapy did not appear to improve things.

Today, it feels a little less painful, but still not any noticeable difference in the movement range.

Do these steroid injections work?

How long does it take? As I want it fixed like yesterday.

Anyone have any experience of this type of injection?

[TheVTCGuy]

I actually had one in my shoulder when I was a college athlete.. which means it was a LONG time ago... As I remember, it helped right away.

[TattooedGQ]

Depends on what it's used for. Although I'm only 29, and in OK shape, I happen to have gout due to a bout with the Atkins diet a few years back. Sometimes I get it in my big toe, the podiatrist shoots me up with some cortisone and it feels pretty good, albeit tight, within seconds and lasts until the meds have a chance to do their job.

best of luck with your shoulder!

[Art 1]

I had 2 put in my shoulder due to a sports injury. It did not help at all. In fact it made the pain worse. No more long throws from right field for me after that.

[Numismatist]

Had one in the left knee, worked almost instantly and is holding 2 months later.

I think it's better if it's arthritis related issues.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Numismatist

Had one in the left knee, worked almost instantly and is holding 2 months later.

I think it's better if it's arthritis related issues.

Did the injection hurt?

[ducatidoc]

Did the depomedrol shot in the lumbar spine 2x. One worked for about 1.5 weeks, the other the guy missed the right spot, didn't help. Then I started wising up about back maintenence. Bottom line, it helps to practice prevention.

[marie]

Had one in my elbow about a year ago. Worked wonders but it took a day or two to really settle in.

[Numismatist]

Originally Posted by Art 1

Did the injection hurt?

No, they numb it up with a small needle first. Then they aspirate fluids which releases pressure, then they inject the cortisone. Takes about 30 seconds.

[rsg]

Works great for inflammation, usually takes a day or two to settle in.

[Dr.Brian]

I used to do some pain medicine several years ago. I usually mix the steroid with local anesthetic. The pain usually improves quickly with the local, gets worse again the next day and than better after 2 or 3 days as the steroids decrease the inflammation. Steroids can certainly cause an acute increase in pain as well in some people. For some the relief lasts only weeks or months, others got better and never came back. That depends more on your problem and individual variability.
Good luck.

[dalip]

Sorry to hear of your pain John.

[joeychitwood]

If the pain is due to inflammation, the steroid injection should kick in within another day or two. If it is due to a structural problem like a rotator cuff tear, it won't make much difference. I'm assuming that the doc feels the condition is inflammatory.

[NYC6]

For me it was a short lived treatment. Right knee went bad on me some years ago. Every month I went in for a draining and cortizone shot. It would work for about 2 weeks then the knee would double in size and count down the days in agony for the next 2 weeks or so. That went on for about 2 years.

Next hyalgen was tried. A series of 3 injections for 3 consecutive weeks and its good for 2 years. It really worked! Did that for 2 years until the knee was bone on bone. Total replacement done.

Today, I went to the Doc and had the other knee drained and cortizone. I van barely walk now. Im not starting this all over again. Tomorrow I call and set up another replacement.

[D O C]

In agreement with our other docs. I general add 2 anesthetics to the steroid for my shoulder injections in what I call a One, One and One. That is 1cc of 2% lidocaine, 1cc of 0.25% marcaine and 1cc of DepoMedrol 80mg/cc. One anesthetic lasts about 45min to 1 hour. The other anesthetic lasts several hours. These generally wear off by the end of the day and I tell most people that they will probably feel the same in the morning.....The steroid will generally kick in by 48 hrs and you'll feel like a new man/woman.

There would be 2 reasons a steroid injection wouldn't work. Like ER doc Joey said it won't make a difference if its a significant injury like a rotator cuff tear. The other reason would be they didn't get the injection into the joint space. Never happened to me. But it happens.

Give it some time. I bet it kicks in before long.

[jcherskine]

Thanks for the info and support guys and Marie.
The doc must think it's due to inflamation as suggested?
My shoulder injury was done at the same time (3rd May) as a more serious injury to my elbow, which suffered a complete dislocation.
My elbow has now healed up pretty good, but not the shoulder.
They overlooked that injury, as well as an injury to my foot, whilst concentrating on my elbow.
I can open up the trunk of my car with my left arm, but then cannot reach up to close it,
I have to use my right arm for this.
I'm hoping the cortisone injection works, and soon.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by jcherskine

Thanks for the info and support guys and Marie.
The doc must think it's due to inflamation as suggested?
My shoulder injury was done at the same time (3rd May) as a more serious injury to my elbow, which suffered a complete dislocation.
My elbow has now healed up pretty good, but not the shoulder.
They overlooked that injury, as well as an injury to my foot, whilst concentrating on my elbow.
I can open up the trunk of my car with my left arm, but then cannot reach up to close it,
I have to use my right arm for this.
I'm hoping the cortisone injection works, and soon.

Let us know, hope it works out.

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by marie

Had one in my elbow about a year ago. Worked wonders but it took a day or two to really settle in.

Marie, how long did the relief last? My Doc says the pain in my elbow is tendonitis and has mentioned cortisone. In the meantime I'm getting some small measure of relief with Aleve.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by jcherskine

I can open up the trunk of my car with my left arm, but then cannot reach up to close it,
I have to use my right arm for this. I'm hoping the cortisone injection works, and soon.

You may have some rotator cuff damage. If you get no relief from the injection, ask for imaging studies of the shoulder cuff. If torn, it's not getting better on its own.

[Chozn1]

I had one in my elbow after physical therapy and sports straps didn't work. Also, I was tired of popping Advil every time I went golfing and that's the main thing that irritated it, although sometimes it just hurt for seemingly no reason. The shot itself hurt. They put some of the cold spray on before hand, but the shot took about 30 seconds and I definitely felt the last 20 or so. I'd do it again though as it's been about 6 weeks and after about the 3rd day of the shot, I've had no issues.

[jcherskine]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

You may have some rotator cuff damage. If you get no relief from the injection, ask for imaging studies of the shoulder cuff. If torn, it's not getting better on its own.

Thanks Joey, Would it require an operation to correct the rotator cuff damage?
If it is indeed the case?
I was hoping it would have been sorted within 4 months, but I thought the injury was just a simple one.
That soon changed when I looked it up on the internet.
I am going on vacation in 9 days time, and I just wanted to be back to normal before I go.

[marie]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Marie, how long did the relief last? My Doc says the pain in my elbow is tendonitis and has mentioned cortisone. In the meantime I'm getting some small measure of relief with Aleve.

Al,

Thankfully I haven't had any issues since my injection. However, since I can't ever take Aleve/Motrin/Ibuprofen/Aspirin or any type of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), I was pretty motivated to do anything my Dr. suggested to get rid of the pain.

The injection was only part of the process. I wore a band just below my elbow (pretty tight) and did exercises like the ones in the link below. Since it was my right arm, it was difficult not to use it while it healed. If I recall correctly it was a few weeks before it was completely back to normal.

Good luck!
marie


http://www.medpagetoday.com/Orthoped...hopedics/15048

[gmh1013]

Ive had several in L4 - L5 area and L3 and L4...help for a few weeks but the pain came back even worse last time around.....Have not had one in 3 years now.
Stick with Oxycodone for now.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by jcherskine

Thanks Joey, Would it require an operation to correct the rotator cuff damage?

Almost always. The cuff just doesn't heal, and without repair, one can't raise the arm to 90 degrees without assistance. Usually, once the arm is at 90 degrees, a person can maintain the position.

[sandcrab]

Broke my ankle 13months ago...ruptured Syndesmosis...Arthrex Tightrope with plate and five screws. Still have pain when running in ankle joint and went for the Shot...it helped for about a week and now I still have pain when running. Doc wants to scope it and see if something is impeding the flexion of the ankle joint from the original injury. So, the shots may or may not help...hope that helps. LOL.

[mickyvee]

I had three cortizone injections in my right shoulder, over a ten month period. All to no avail. Turns out that I have to have a new shoulder joint fitted. Major bummer. Looks like I won't be riding my Triumph for a while!

[jcherskine]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Almost always. The cuff just doesn't heal, and without repair, one can't raise the arm to 90 degrees without assistance. Usually, once the arm is at 90 degrees, a person can maintain the position.

Prior to the injection, I could only raise my arm about 60 degrees. The pain from my shoulder to my elbow was intense when doing so.

After some stretching excercises I can now raise it about 80 degrees and maintain it.

Just hoping it works for me.

[jcherskine]

Originally Posted by mickyvee

I had three cortizone injections in my right shoulder, over a ten month period. All to no avail. Turns out that I have to have a new shoulder joint fitted. Major bummer. Looks like I won't be riding my Triumph for a while!

Exactly what I am dreading Mick.
I hope your new shoulder joint is a success and you are back on your Triumph soon.

[RebreatherDiver]

after many years in the Marine Corps I can tell you I have aged plenty. I have had cortisone injections in my knee, shoulder, neck, and forearm. They have all worked, most have worked fully by a few days after the second shot. My shoulder was the most stubborn and worked after the third shot. If it doesn't work after 3 your looking at the knife.

Best of luck.

[Subfiend]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Almost always. The cuff just doesn't heal, and without repair, one can't raise the arm to 90 degrees without assistance. Usually, once the arm is at 90 degrees, a person can maintain the position.

This has been my experience. I tore the rotator cuff in my left shoulder at the very end of 2007. I was in agony. When a physician's assistant tried to give me a cortisone shot, I refused because I had heard that it would not help and it might have a corrosive effect.

Now for the sad part. A relative of mine had also torn his rotator cuff and he obtained no relief from a regimen of cortisone injections. He was in constant pain and, for this and other reasons, he sank into a deep depression. The day after I refused the injection, he committed suicide. I flew cross-country with a torn rotator cuff and a prescription bottle full of Tylenol 3 to help my family. My wife and I cleaned up his house, including the mess left behind when he ended his life.

I came home afterward and got an MRI, which confirmed the tear. I never had a cortisone shot. I never had surgery either. I am at about 90% range of motion after PT.