Steroid injections in knees

Jomo- yes mine was worsening heart problems which made knee replacement too risky the consultant said.

Bear in mind steroids are not without side effects, eg can contribute to osteoporosis and cataract.

I had steroid injections into my right knee for several years while waiting for a knee replacement operation. and then into my left knee while waiting for a second knee replacement.
I had these injections four months apart and they helped massively with the pain - not completely eradicating the pain but making it easier to bear.
after my second knee replacement my right thumb was very painful. I had problems with putting my bra on and getting saucepans from the hob to the sink etc.
so I started injections into my right thumb joint. again it didn't take the pain away but made it easier to bear.
right now i've got another injection lined up in about ten days and it can't come soon enough!

I had steroid injections in my right knee which didnt work longer than 2 weeks. Had to have a total knee replacement. When my left knee became painful I had an injection which happily lasted 9 months.

I had a few of those over the years but it's only a temporary fix . I was told I need a knee replacement 3 years ago and since then I've had 2 "Shock Wave" treatments and it hardly bothers me at all. Do they have that in the UK? I know that you can buy a shockwave machine online but that won't be as effective as getting it done by a doctor . Worth a few looks. Do some research. Not everyone knows about this.

MT62

Oh same as mine as slight bowing. Wondering if they can’t straighten it at the same time 🤣

So funny 😁 😂 😂

Cardamom exactly the same situation with my knee, diagnosed a week ago. Had 1 session with physio and given exercises, no other follow up, Injection not mentioned and never thought to ask was just so relieved no need for KR op.
Have had 4 steroid injections in foot for arthritis, all worked well after a week or so with the exception of the last one which really gave very little if any relief but always warned that might not work.

@sunbar I was at a place a couple of days ago that does Shockwave, I’d never heard of it before. Does it work for bone on bone?

Had knee steroid injection plus one in my thumb joint! Both successful
Had one in my hip 10 days ago as I am struggling with bursistis plus arthritis but no benefit as yet !! I live in hope plus doing my exercises as instructed
Good luck

I hadn’t heard of shockwave but I’m interested. The problem is that, if I Google it, will my FB page be flooded with adverts about it.
Despite all the anonymity on here, that’s what seems to happen.

I had a steroid injection in my right knee in February this year. It made it worse for about a week then it went back to how it was before. I still have a very thin layer of cartilage, but I am no longer able to go for a proper walk outside, due to the pain from impact. I have made an effort to lose weight, and exercise in the gym to strengthen my legs, which is the only thing that has made any difference. I have now been referred to the hospital to discuss surgical options, and am waiting for my first appointment. The injection itself was a bit painful but this went quickly as the anaesthetic kicked in. Good luck with whatever you decide to do OP.

No injections. I have arthritis in both knees and it was very painful, especially at night. Nuffield Health offer a free 6 month joint pain programme so I signed up for that. The first 12 weeks is a mixture of group work covering psychological issues, the role of exercise and weight loss etc. with guided exercise in their rather lovely gym. In the second three months you exercise independently but have access to support from the group leader. I have lost over 2.5 stone, become quite fit and do lots of yoga, spin classes and am now just resuming aerobics. My knees now seldom give me any pain and I sleep soundly all night. For me this has been nothing short of miraculous and I could not be more grateful. I’m 70 later this year.

PernillaVanilla

No injections. I have arthritis in both knees and it was very painful, especially at night. Nuffield Health offer a free 6 month joint pain programme so I signed up for that. The first 12 weeks is a mixture of group work covering psychological issues, the role of exercise and weight loss etc. with guided exercise in their rather lovely gym. In the second three months you exercise independently but have access to support from the group leader. I have lost over 2.5 stone, become quite fit and do lots of yoga, spin classes and am now just resuming aerobics. My knees now seldom give me any pain and I sleep soundly all night. For me this has been nothing short of miraculous and I could not be more grateful. I’m 70 later this year.

PernillaVanilla I also did the Nuffield Health Joint Pain programme and can vouch for how good it is. It was 2 years ago when I had chronic sciatica and that has completely gone now. Unfortunately my knee has got worse in spite of me being fitter and healthier. I guess you can't avoid osteoarthritis for ever if it's in your genes. My mother had it very badly.

I had steroid injections in both my knees and they really helped. They wore off after six months (as expected). I rang, as I had been instructed, to make an appointment to be re-jabbed, and was told is have to wait 8 months. That was when I said s** it, and had my left knee replaced, and my right one two years later.

I had a steroid injection in my left knee while waiting for a TLKR and it worked well for a few months and then I had the op! Definitely worth a go.

AnotherBirdLady

I had a steroid injection in my right knee in February this year. It made it worse for about a week then it went back to how it was before. I still have a very thin layer of cartilage, but I am no longer able to go for a proper walk outside, due to the pain from impact. I have made an effort to lose weight, and exercise in the gym to strengthen my legs, which is the only thing that has made any difference. I have now been referred to the hospital to discuss surgical options, and am waiting for my first appointment. The injection itself was a bit painful but this went quickly as the anaesthetic kicked in. Good luck with whatever you decide to do OP.

I can’t walk outside of the house. But I don’t have pain most of the time other than a stabbing pain in the side of my knee when I’ve been walking for a while. No pain at night etc.

Hi, I have had injections in both knees, injections helped but did not last more than 8-10 weeks for me. I am at bone on bone stage, a full replacement is required, due to other health issues I am not able to have operations.
Back to injections, give them ago, they are uncomfortable whilst being done, but no extreme pain good luck.

NotTheGC It actaully helps grow back some cartilage. I know it doesn't work for every problem because I have a friend who tried it and still had to get the knee replacement but it's worth a look.

@Mollygo I hadn’t heard of shockwave but I’m interested. The problem is that, if I Google it, will my FB page be flooded with adverts about it.
Despite all the anonymity on here, that’s what seems to happen.

It could happen after all it is the Internet.. As I had mentioned there are shockwave machines you could buy but I had been told by my soft tissue chiropractor (which is different from a regular chiropractor), it's not as effective as getting it from a doctor.

I only ever needed one in my knee, but was advised to lose weight so have not needed another, however have had one in each thumb and would really like another as the discomfort is now after six months starting to return but have been advised to wait as long as I can bear as too many can becoming increasingly less effective.

I had one in my painful right knee when I was much younger. My GP did it. He drew fluid off and the injected the same amount of steroid in. It was very uncomfortable the next day, but after that things were great and I was pain-free for at least 2 years! The osteoarthritis in both my knees is severe now, but I am fortunate in that they do not cause me too much pain. Very lucky.
I do hope that you get some relief.

I’ve had injections in my knee and the first one lasted many years. Subsequent ones not quite so long but the pain has never been as bad as before the injection. I’ve now had a replacement knee

apologies if I am repeating myself - experiencing wi-fi probs and the internet keeps going down. But I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in one knee getting on for 2 years ago - had steroid jab which was v. successful. When it started to wear off (after about a year) I went back to my consultant who gave me a steroid jab and also a hyuralonic (sp?) jab - neither hurt. He says he gives all his elderly patients (I am nearly 80) the h jab now - it lubricates the knee and means they don't need an op (hopefully). He says that jabs once a year seem to do the trick for a lot of his patients. Hope it works for me..... Have recommended the h jab to all my friends in a similar situation.

pamdixon

apologies if I am repeating myself - experiencing wi-fi probs and the internet keeps going down. But I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in one knee getting on for 2 years ago - had steroid jab which was v. successful. When it started to wear off (after about a year) I went back to my consultant who gave me a steroid jab and also a hyuralonic (sp?) jab - neither hurt. He says he gives all his elderly patients (I am nearly 80) the h jab now - it lubricates the knee and means they don't need an op (hopefully). He says that jabs once a year seem to do the trick for a lot of his patients. Hope it works for me..... Have recommended the h jab to all my friends in a similar situation.

I wondered about the other injection. There is also something called Arthrosamid but I’d have to pay to have it done privately ( not cheap) and I don’t know of anyone who has had it. My consultant had never heard of it. It sort of lubricates the joint but you can still have a TKR afterwards if necessary. It seems to me that everyone’s arthritis is different, which is what I’ve read as well. You can have a very arthritic knee but still be able to walk or something that doesn’t look bad on an x ray but stops you walking. Trouble is that’s what makes me think that I’m just a drama queen and I should ignore the pain when I walk given that it doesn’t hurt when I’m not walking.

Not had them in knee but shoulder a few timed. Yes it's good and anaesthetic is in needle so it's fine. I would go ahead with it.