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Steroid injections in knees

(108 Posts)
Cardamom Thu 07-May-26 11:10:07

I've recently attended a hospital appointment regarding osteoarthritis in both knees. X rays and MRI scans show that there is no bone on bone friction and so knee replacement is unnecessary and an arthroscopy is apparently no longer an option. The only treatment offered to me was steroid injection into the knees. I've been advised that there's only a 50/50 chance that it would offer any relief and the duration of any pain relief is "subjective; every patient is different".

Has anyone had steroid injections into their knee and, if you have, did you get any significant pain relief from it and for how long?

Cardamom Fri 08-May-26 11:53:15

Yes, I use a tens machine too MayBee70 and whilst that does help with the pain on a daily basis, I was hoping to find something more long term. I have buprenorphine patches too but even they're not always enough. Think I'll have to give the cortisone injections a try.

Redhead56 Fri 08-May-26 11:51:11

Painless

MayBee70 Fri 08-May-26 10:16:21

My GP did it and it was painless. I also thought that it would be sore for a few days but it wasn’t. It hasn’t helped, though, I’m afraid. When I first had problems with the knee an osteopath really helped me but I saw him last year and it didn’t help at all this time. I do use a tens machine quite a lot. And use walking poles so I can take the pressure off my knee when I walk. My next plan is to start going to the gym again to build up the muscle although I do exercises given to me by my physio every day.

Cardamom Fri 08-May-26 09:23:17

17 days? shock

Jane43 Fri 08-May-26 09:12:14

Our neighbour has them and they make a huge difference but he says they only last for about 17 days, it probably varies from person to person though.

Cardamom Fri 08-May-26 09:05:49

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.

Redhead56 Fri 08-May-26 01:39:28

I can't praise the injection enough I had them in my foot knee and hand. Two weeks ago another in my right thumb. Go for it without hesitation is my advice.

crazyH Fri 08-May-26 01:39:15

Maybee70 I think the steroid inject takes a day or two to work’

MayBee70 Fri 08-May-26 01:30:23

Well, I did the walk that I used to do every night and I can’t say the steroid injection has helped at all. I walk painfully slow these days and the knee feels sore when I walk outside of the house ( it doesn’t hurt usually when I walk inside the house and this is what I don’t understand; I’ve asked an osteopath and a physiotherapist why that is but they can’t tell me; it makes me question my sanity).

crazyH Thu 07-May-26 21:32:41

I had a steroid injection on my right knee about 5 years ago - starting to wear out now I don’t think I’ll have another, not yet anyway

Mollygo Thu 07-May-26 21:22:05

Yes.
The first worked really well in my knee and lasted about 3 years.
The second was put into the wrong knee (“the steroid will do its work wherever I put it”). I then had to wait a long time before they would put an injection into the proper knee, but that worked and is still working OK.

MT62 Thu 07-May-26 21:00:48

Maybe I should I put a sad emoji 😔
Must be quite swollen maybee70

MT62 Thu 07-May-26 20:57:27

MayBee70

My bad knee is an inch bigger than my good knee and there’s no shape to that leg ( mind you not much shape to my good leg either!).

🤣

MayBee70 Thu 07-May-26 19:31:59

My bad knee is an inch bigger than my good knee and there’s no shape to that leg ( mind you not much shape to my good leg either!).

harrysgran Thu 07-May-26 19:19:31

I had one on my shoulder several years ago it worked and I'm having one i' my knee next week I'm hoping it is just as successful

MT62 Thu 07-May-26 18:57:15

Not really funny though is it? Bowing & knee pain 😩

MT62 Thu 07-May-26 18:56:21

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

MayBee70 Thu 07-May-26 18:31:07

MT62

MayBee70

I had one in my arthritic knee two weeks ago. I know it sounds daft but I’m still trying to work out if it has helped so I’ll have a think about it and reply later. At least you can switch me off. My main topic of conversation these days seems to be about my knee and I fear that I’m driving people mad. And I’m interrogating anyone that is having or has had a knee replacement!

I am due to have a pre-op soon for a knee replacement. I am a bit apprehensive as I know friends who are worse off for the op.
I am yet to talk to anyone who says it’s marvellous & that they are pain free.

I have three friends who are almost evangelical about their TKR’s and keep urging me to have it done. It just seems so irreversible and I don’t want to be one of the people who regret it. My leg is bent though. But the x ray just said mild arthritic changes and the x ray on my good knee said exactly the same thing so the x ray didn’t imo give me the information I wanted.

Visgir1 Thu 07-May-26 18:20:17

Yes as a holding before my TKR.. Lasted about 3-4 months but not a long term fix if you need a TKR. No idea about other knee issues but the temporary relief was very welcome.

MT62 Thu 07-May-26 17:52:09

MayBee70

I had one in my arthritic knee two weeks ago. I know it sounds daft but I’m still trying to work out if it has helped so I’ll have a think about it and reply later. At least you can switch me off. My main topic of conversation these days seems to be about my knee and I fear that I’m driving people mad. And I’m interrogating anyone that is having or has had a knee replacement!

I am due to have a pre-op soon for a knee replacement. I am a bit apprehensive as I know friends who are worse off for the op.
I am yet to talk to anyone who says it’s marvellous & that they are pain free.

BlueBelle Thu 07-May-26 17:38:10

I have a very painful knee for about a month now which I presume is arthritis I ve ordered some high strength turmeric and black pepper herbal tablets to see if that ll help.

I ve previously had two carpel tunnel ops years ago and never had any problems since My daughter also had the op and no further trouble It’s an easy enough op.

MayBee70 Thu 07-May-26 17:29:13

I had one in my arthritic knee two weeks ago. I know it sounds daft but I’m still trying to work out if it has helped so I’ll have a think about it and reply later. At least you can switch me off. My main topic of conversation these days seems to be about my knee and I fear that I’m driving people mad. And I’m interrogating anyone that is having or has had a knee replacement!

MT62 Thu 07-May-26 16:22:49

Yes I’ve had ten in each knee. Worked at first, but now bone on bone.
I don’t think you are supposed to have more than three injections in such a short time.
Probably try it once to get some relief.

Gwyllt Thu 07-May-26 15:58:59

No personal knowledge of arthritic knees just two new hips. However I have come across a number of people this swear by using a static bike to give relief and get them going in the morning. I used mine to keep my hips mobile before I had my hips done and to help post surgery.

cornergran Thu 07-May-26 15:38:20

Two injections in my right knee. The first worked well, eased pain for a few months. The second injection was unlikely to help and it didn’t. By then my knee was bone on bone.

My left knee is going the way of the right, very successfully replaced. One injection in the left has lasted almost a year. I won’t hesitate to ask for another.

My left thumb has been injected twice with excellent outcomes each time.

In my view worth a try. The injections are quick, I find them uncomfortable rather than painful. Pressure rather than pain.