Steroid injections in knees

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

@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?

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.

MT62

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

So funny 😁 😂 😂

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.

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 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!

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

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

Cardamom

Thanks for the feedback, it's given me some food for thought. Next question: how painful is the injection? I've heard stories of the needle being very big and very, very painful.

They combine it with a numbing agent.
Make sure you rest the area for 48 hrs where it’s going to keep the steroid around that area.

I had been waiting for a double knee replacement, which sadly was 'taken off the table' as an option due to other major health problems as a risk.Now i just put up with pain as i am allergic to morphine and codamol and can really only take paracetamol on the warfarin.😐🫤

Cardomom- i had the knee injections at first every 6 mths,then every 3 months, in end it was decided that the risks (as i'm also on warfarin) outweighed the benefits as it was lasting less & less for me.But you might be better on it, so do at least try.

Maybee70- please dont question your sanety,it was same for me- however i'm surprised the 'medicals' with all their 'wisdom' havent worked it out- the difference i think is the shock absorbing- inside the floors arent as hard as outside on pavements are they? & certainly if indoors is mostly or all carpeted- or soft vinyl- So what i got was a couple of shock absorbing rubber stick tips, from the company that sells sticks,crutches etc called 'Cool Crutches' about £12-13 for i think a pack of two.I have noticed the difference immeasurably.(i think they also fit on ends of crutches but if not it will say and show the crutches size?) I really noticed a difference when i used an old 'spare' walking stick that we keep in car boot when i forgot my newer one- i had such awful backache & worsened knee pain for days.!

There seems to be lots of positive reports on steroid injections here.

That has cheered me up as a recent scan of a toe I broke 8 years ago has shown something called Morton's neuroma. It seems to mean a "knot" in the nerve in that toe.

The surgeon said a steroid injection would be the first port of call and if that fails he will take the nerves in that toe out altogether.

I do hope you get sorted out and live pain free.

yes I had lots of them while waiting for my knee replacements in both knees. I found they worked immediately, just sort of numbed the pain but only lasted 3-4 wks for me. I could not see the point so I said it is ok just masking the pain but let's get these fixed instead. I was bone on bone in both knees with osteoarthritis. Now since both knees replaced no pain at all in both knees, felt I just wasted time with the injections, but as you do not need surgery I hope they give you some relief.

Yes - in my hands. Was a painful injection but helped my frozen hand. Doesn’t last forever in most people and you can only have so many of them before surgery is advised.

I had steroid injections in both my knees, administered by my GP. They gave me relief for months but then the relief time became shorter. Injection in left knee then three months later injection in right knee. The relief gradually reduced and I had a total knee replacement surgery

I had steroid injections in my knees about eight months ago. Unfortunately, they did not make any difference. I now have yet another appointment to see the consultant this month.

I been having them for years used to work but only last short time not much 😒 hope fir replacement as now got heart problems. I think should have done it fir me years ago but kept saying try physio joke that started off heart ❤️ problems. Do feel let down as can hardly walk and pain awful 😖