Cortisone shots in knees

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ACORN

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Finally went to an ortho doc for my knees. He confirmed I have bone on bone on the insides of both knees. Kind of has me walking a little bow legged. I’ve been off from work since Friday and with the weather (snow) I’ve not been doing a lot of walking. Tomorrow back to work will be the test. For now we went with cortisone injections in both knees and a follow up in 6 weeks. He told me it’s pretty much a case by case result. Anyone else had them and how long did they help?
 
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I had severe knee pain last May, just the right side, to the point I could not walk without a pronounced limp. Walking down a flight of stairs or even downhill for that matter was agony. Went to the ortho doc, minimal cartilage left behind the kneecap. Got a cortisone shot in that knee (relatively painless). Within a day I was walking normally, pain 90% gone. Just now starting to have more stiffness but nothing like last spring. I'm a believer in the cortisone shot and plan to get another when the time comes, hope to make it a year. I've heard from others that the shot becomes less effective each time, we'll see. Compared to the alternative I can live with that.
 
My wife had it done in one knee. She's been doing fine since she had it done. Been about 6 months.
 
I've had cortisone shots in my knees, and found them good for pain relief and flexibility. In my case the relief lasted about three months or so.

I've had three knee replacement operations so far, with two surgeons. One partial replacement, one repair of the partial when it dislocated itself, and one full on the other knee. Both surgeons told me that the shots are not good for your knees. (When one surgeon told me this I said, "Yeah, but I could not put my sock on! What was I supposed to do!") FWIW.

In my case, the pain relief provided by the cortisone shots, while considerable, is nothing like the total pain relief provided by knee replacements. The rehab after replacement is no fun, but if performed assiduously, the relief after recovery is marvelous.

Best of luck to you.
 
A cautionary tale.
I have had Cortisone shots in my knee for inflammation and in my lower back for an injury.
The one in the knee relived the pain for over a over a year now. I have a slight limp in the morning but no real pain.
The one in my back seemed like a miracle so, like a dummy, the next day I was up ladders and crawling under desks running power and computer cables. I was like an 18yo monkey.
THEN, the next day. I could hardly move for about 3 days.
The doctor explained that Cortisone does not really fix anything it only relieves symptoms; sometimes a day sometimes longer.
My back problem was caused by a pinched nerve and the shot just relived the inflation around the nerves.
So, while the shot may feel like you are cured, take it easy since the underlying problem is still there.
 
taz666 said:
Isn't a straight up replacement the way to go these days?
Click to expand...

We talked about that but I am not ready for that. Personal reasons.
Hope the cortisone can get me through till I retire. If and when that is.
Big local gun show this weekend in Washington County. That should give the cortisone ample time to work and along with 650mg acetominophen tablets I should be GTG.
 
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Had my left knee totally rebuilt { not replaced } in 1977 due to a freak accident. Over the years I favored it, and as a result, wore out the right knee. Had a total right knee replacement in 2007. Before doing so, I tried the shots, and was just a short term pain relief fix. Surgeon told me at the time, that eventually it would need to be replaced. At 74 years old, I'm hoping the rebuilt left one will hold up for the "duration". The PT after the replacement can be grueling and somewhat painful, but, as the saying goes ....you get out of it, what you put in. Do your homework, find a good surgeon, and get it replaced . The sooner the better . Good luck !!!!
 
I had an injection in my knee back when I was in my 30's. In my case the problem was inflammation that physical therapy failed to solve. The cortisone solved the problem instantly and the inflammation never came back.

However, I was warned to do it sparingly. Overuse eats away the cartilage. If you are already bone on bone I don't know if that is a concern any longer.
 
Synvisc and then PRP.
Maybe go straight to PRP.
Worked great for me.
Works for many.
Both help with pain, but they won't get you on the
Racquetball court. :rolleyes:
Research with stem cells to regenerate/grow stuff is underway.
Got sidelined because of covid but with most of the family in
medicine, they'll fast track me if/when it's mainstreamed
or they say to give it a go.

The VA will give me new knees anytime I want.
No hurry. :D
Still ride bicycles, row, swim.... but no running.

Getting a second PRP for an old shoulder injury soon.
First helped a bit, plus daily rehab therapy at home,
keeps it bearable.
No pain meds for me.
Just summon up the Marine within. :D

Retired from marine electronics so no more jumping
on and off yachts everyday.
Only for family and close friends.
 
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Don't know your age or personal reasons, but the knees won't get better, only worse.

I had all the shots in my worn-out knees--chicken comb, cortisone, you name it. Temp relief at best, often only helping for a week or so. The cure is knee replacement, either partial or total as the individual knee calls for. No shot will correct for bone on bone. When the cartilage is gone, it's gone. I had both done the same week. I do not recommend that. Too hard to recover, although you only need to recover once. The bone will require 8-10 weeks to recover after the surgery. Ten weeks after my double replacement, I was walking a one-mile course around the neighborhood every evening, something not possible before.

Aftereffects are numbness in knees, etc. They cut through all the nerves. It's a weird feeling that's hard to describe that I am aware of with every step, but no pain. Sometimes the knees will ache if I put them in awkward positions, a twisted position being the worst. 100% effort in PT afterwards is crucial to a good outcome. Suck it up and get it done.
 
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Saw that John Hopkins has a new knee replacement done through the front. Nerve block and a sedative, done in about a hour. Will check and see who does it around here. Son had stem cell treatment on his back and he says its like a new back. Replaces cartilage and other worn out parts.
 
A friend of mine has had good luck with cortisone. He knows the consequences (his dad was a doc) I’m guessing he’s waiting until he retires to do a replacement (commercial pilot) so his pension is fully vested
 
Would not use cortisone. Very temporary fix. I just had my Dr take my blood , spin it and reinsert the plasma in my knee. Worked in 3 weeks and will probably last 5-7 years . Cost $650 but insurance did not cover it. I ‘m 70. Run a ranch , ride horse 4 times week, carry 50# bags of feed, hay bales, climb ladders and climb trees.
 
Jebus35745 said:
Left knee went 5 years with shots and the right 2 1/2 years. Finally had both joints replaced the same day. Yeah, the pain was worse than one at a time. Best thing I ever did, I could hunt again walking for hours. Larry
Click to expand...

Replacement is the way to go for most people. Our hospital did over 400 knees and hips a year. Most were scheduled replacements. 99% had no problems and were back to a fairly normal life in six weeks or so. I was the main ortho nurse for our folks that had scheduled replacements.
 
As you know, the cortisone shots, while they ease the pain, also rot the bone. Continued use will cause damage.

I had a ******* that continued to use the shots in my shoulder long after they did any real good. His reason? You are too young for a shoulder replacement! Tell that to my shoulder! I had my right ( dominant) shoulder replaced. Therapy was no picnic. And, if you are like me, I thought I was still the bull of the woods. 15 years later I am looking at another shoulder replacement, same shoulder, because I did not alter my bull headed ways.

I wish you the best. Honestly, wish you the best. But also wish you consider the replacement. The shots are merely smoke and mirrors.

Kevin
 
My left kneecap was broken in an accident in high school gym class. No pads under the parallel bars. No suing schools back then. Ten years later, finally got cortisone from a doc who was sympathetic. Told me to build my legs muscles in a non-impact way, stationary bike or rowing machine. Bought a stationery bike, finally wore it out, have a rowing machine now. It hurts some mornings, but all in all, easier than walking with a cane. As long as I keep my legs in shape - walking only, no running - rowing machine for the rest, occasional ibuprophin is all that I need.
 
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