Got a Cortisone shot yesterday, in the Knee

[Wise Old Owl]

I have been wanting to do this for about two years and finally got the shot....

One knee has been inflamed for some time and been bugging me, I was told it was common wear and tear and some arthritis. So I went for a second opinion.

I have Atnea Insurance even with deductibles....
1st Doc GP- $20
1st Xray $10
2nd Joint Doc $30 Sent me back for MRI
MRI $500
2nd Visit Joint Doc $30 and included shot.

Adds up quick... I will tell you how I feel in five days when this kicks in, No pun.

How does the cortisone injection help?
Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication. Cortisone is not a pain relieving medication, it only treats the inflammation. When pain is decreased from cortisone it is because the inflammation is diminished. By injecting the cortisone into a particular area of inflammation, very high concentrations of the medication can be given while keeping potential side-effects to a minimum. Cortisone injections usually work within a few days (http://orthopedics.about.com/od/paintreatment/f/cortisoneeffect.htm), and the effects can last up to several weeks (http://orthopedics.about.com/od/paintreatment/f/cortisoneeffect.htm).

[Doc Mike]

I do a few of those every week and if it works should last 3-6 months. Hope it does.

Doc mike

[DapperD]

I have been wanting to do this for about two years and finally got the shot....

One knee has been inflamed for some time and been bugging me, I was told it was common wear and tear and some arthritis. So I went for a second opinion.

I have Atnea Insurance even with deductibles....
1st Doc GP- $20
1st Xray $10
2nd Joint Doc $30 Sent me back for MRI
MRI $500
2nd Visit Joint Doc $30 and included shot.

Adds up quick... I will tell you how I feel in five days when this kicks in, No pun.

How does the cortisone injection help?
Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication. Cortisone is not a pain relieving medication, it only treats the inflammation. When pain is decreased from cortisone it is because the inflammation is diminished. By injecting the cortisone into a particular area of inflammation, very high concentrations of the medication can be given while keeping potential side-effects to a minimum. Cortisone injections usually work within a few days (http://orthopedics.about.com/od/paintreatment/f/cortisoneeffect.htm), and the effects can last up to several weeks (http://orthopedics.about.com/od/paintreatment/f/cortisoneeffect.htm).I think cortisone injections can help, but I believe from what I have learned they need to be limited in their usage as they can cause other issues if used too many times. Also I don't think they are always successful and/or a permanent fix for say a damaged knee. There are many different types of knee injuries, and successfully treating a knee injury may require surgery. Cortisone as you say is good as a powerful anti-inflammatory, but additional procedures may also be necessary:-?.

[neighbor dave]

standard protocol = waste of time and money
unfortunate but true. 99% of the time the xray won't show it, then they send you for the m.r.i. just another stroke

[Wise Old Owl]

ouch ND thanks....

[Joshuatree]

Ya I'm with ND on this one they work for a bit, but its more of a stop gap measure. I've had a more then a few in my shoulders. It works for awhile but the more treatments you have the less affective the shots are. Did they give you anything else to treat it, any exersices?? I had some luck using Glucosamine and Chondroitin its not a cure but with an anti infamitory drug (Aleve in my case works the best) I found that the I got better pain management and moblitity back. I have rotator cuff tendonitis along with arthritis in both shoulders

[Wise Old Owl]

The pain and inflammation was enough to stop exercising and significant weight gain this year. This is to get back on the treadmill.

[Fog Horn]

The pain and inflammation was enough to stop exercising and significant weight gain this year. This is to get back on the treadmill.

For knee injuries, you should try the elliptical. It is lower impact. I have tendonitis in my ankles and whenever it flares up I have to switch to the elliptical. It does not translate to running ability, but keeps your cardio up while you nurse your injury. Don't jump on that treadmill too soon. Even after the pain goes away you're still healing for a few more weeks, and can injure yourself more by trying to exercise it too soon.

Just my two cents from all my injuries :)

[Fog Horn]

Oh and Merry Christmas! Sorry that you have to pay so much on med bills right in the middle of the holiday season!

[Fog Horn]

Oh, and sorry for inputting a bit too much, but I had ear surgery a few months ago and in my recovery time I couldn't walk without falling over and it took me two months just to be able to walk my pup four miles. I gained around ten pounds in the recovery, and no matter how much I ramped up my exercise as the ability came back to me, those pounds stayed firm.

I found that the way to get rid of "recovery weight" was nutrition. I limited myself to about 300 calories for breakfast, 400 calories for dinner, 100 calories for snacks and 1000 calories for lunch (my co workers always want to go eat and they choose some pretty unhealthy lunch places, like chinese buffets. I had to budget heavy here)

The weight came off in a matter of three or four weeks. Hope this helps!

[skinewmexico]

Ouch. My Dad had one in his shoulder, then said never again. Someone recommended alfalfa pills to him, which he considered stupid. But he took them anyway, and didn't seem to have anymore problems. He swore they didn't work, but he still took them. Maybe it was the placebo effect.

[neighbor dave]

The pain and inflammation was enough to stop exercising and significant weight gain this year. This is to get back on the treadmill.
stop eating all processed foods. i'll guarantee you'll lose 20 lbs in 1 months time, feel really good and full of energy too.

[Wise Old Owl]

stop eating all processed foods. i'll guarantee you'll lose 20 lbs in 1 months time, feel really good and full of energy too.

ho ho ho... no I don't eat processed foods - I even make my own lunch meats, no the weight was beer.

[Freedom Walker]

Got a cortisone shot for knee pain after a hike in Sept. Didn't help. After MRI, found out it was torn meniscus. Will deside in a couple of weeks if I will go for surgery. Hope it helps you. James

[bullseye]

Sorry to hear about you rpains WOO. I've had knee pain since April, and a short 15 miler on PA rocks last month finally convinced me to see the doc. Got a cortisone shot last Tuesday, and not even a week later I'm starting to feel the pain again (no, it's not cortisone flare). Doc told me it was arthritis, the start of a bone spur, and a slightly torn miniscus. Looks like I'm gonna be getting cut the first of the year so I can get back in the swing by spring. Hope you have better luck.

[Spirit Walker]

One option for those with arthritis in the knee who aren't ready for a knee replacement is hyaluron (sp.?) shots. They inject a fluid similar to synovial fluid in the joints, lubricating them. My brother had shots in his back which helped for over a year, and Jim had shots in his knee which gave us another year of hiking before his knee replacement. Jim was given five shots, one week apart - though some doctors do only three and supposedly there's a new single shot as well.

[Wise Old Owl]

bullseye - that was the first thing he said - but the mri said otherwise.

No relief yet, still keeping me up a night.

[valiweva]

Had 4 in both knees, 4 in my left shoulder and 1 in my back. That's what happens when you are old used parts.(just speaking for myself)

[neighbor dave]

ho ho ho... no I don't eat processed foods - I even make my own lunch meats, no the weight was beer.
beer is processed food, bad carbs turns to sugar then to fat, plus it'll dehydrate you and your joints.
you eatin your lunch meat with bread, "whole wheat" is bad carbs and bad for you, turns to sugar then to fat.
lunch meat is dead food, eat "live" food

[Wise Old Owl]

ND I can't argue with that - I have long noticed that people that have back problems are beer drinkers. But I am firm in my beliefs that I watch my salt intake and eat good foods (I do a better job than the wife) I know I can do better and thats my resolve for the next year.

- the knee isn't keeping me up now - but doesn't feel any better so next week I am going back to see the doc.... He did tell me I should have relief in a week, but I had hoped it would be better than this.