Any opinions on cortisone shots?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Once again, not looking for medical advice or a diagnosis. Both my hips have severe degenerative joint disease, to the point that walking and even sitting is painful at best, impossible at worst. I will have the right hip replaced June 20th. Just wondering about getting a cortisone shot to promote better pain control, mobility and weight bearing in the left hip, which will be very important during my recovery. I was told that the shot had to be done at the hospital in the radiology dept. to make sure they get it “in the right place”.

I saw Andre Agassi on TV today, he lost in 5 sets in the first round, and boy does he look like he is in pain. He said after the match that his last cortisone shot helped for a few months, but that he has severe hip pain currently. The way he was walking made me feel sad for him, then I realized that I probably look the same way.

I’m doing an online search now. Would appreciate any comments. As always, YMMV and IMHO apply here, and I am not basing any decisions on what my fellow Dopers say.

2

[QUOTE=beckwall]
… Both my hips have severe degenerative joint disease, to the point that walking and even sitting is painful at best, impossible at worst… Just wondering about getting a cortisone shot to promote better pain control, mobility and weight bearing in the left hip, which will be very important during my recovery. I was told that the shot had to be done at the hospital in the radiology dept. to make sure they get it “in the right place”. QUOTE]

my mom experiences the same type of severe pain from her hips down to her lower thighs, doc tried all sorts of pain meds but had to be careful about interactions w/other meds for her other health conditions (heart, hb), and none helped much, just made her feel too sedated. Her pain became so intense her doc resorted to narcotic pain patches (duragesic 50/mcg per patch) he’d normally prescribe for dying cancer patients, poor mom nearly overdosed from one patch alone, but after removal 24hrs later, the INFLAMMATION came down… for a while at least (6 wks or so). When it returned she refused to try to patch again and doc tried Prednisone–that didn’t help either… followed by cortisone/steroidal injection that seemed to work for 24 hrs but pain returned.

I travelled to SE Asia and happened to meet an Orthopedic surgeon and i asked him what measures are best in that part of the world for pain, his answer, Acupuncture, unless the pain is treatable/repairable injury–not in mom’s case, so he mentioned Glucosamine is used but effects only occur–sometimes–after LONG usage but nothing rebuilds cartilage, especially after it’s nearly all gone and you’re already over 70 (mom’s case). Out of curiosity, I visited a few of their local pharmacies and inquired with pharmacists about topicals available, and was directed to a gel named, “NUROFEN” “… for targeted pain,” MAIN INGREDIENT: IBUPROFEN 5% w/w (visit: www.nurofen.com). Once I returned I learned that mom sprained her large toe (it was black/purple) and she could barely stand, I rubbed a tiny bit on her toe for nxt 2 days, by 3rd day she felt NO PAIN at all and could walk easily… feeling very encouraged by the results, I had mom rub a little of the gel (as directed: “4-10 cm on affected area” ) on her hips and thighs, AND next day her intense pain began to ease, by end of 2 wks usage, any recurring pain has been minimal.

In short, I highly recommend trying this gel… as you certainly wouldn’t want to resort to narcotic pain patches because after 48 hrs you MUST wear them daily or suffer withdrawals.

Best of luck to you and prayer for fast pain relief, wherever it comes from.

Back to the injections, doctors have told us that these shots, because their steroidal, are dangerous for overall health if you’re getting them regularly… well they didn’t work for mom anyway.

3

Intra-articular (in the joint) cortisone injections can be very very very helpful for certain patients with certain conditions. Multiple shots in the same joint can be problematic.

One must weight the risks and benefits carefully, and to do that, one must know the particulars of the individual patient. But if a qualified practitioner, after an appropriate history and exam, suggests consideration of a cortisone injection, don’t dismiss it out of hand.

Warning! Personal/anecdotal testimony follows! Beware!! I’ve had both shoulders injected over the years, along with one AC joint injection. The first was about 6 years ago, the last was 3 years ago. They made a world of difference for my rotator cuff difficulties and my ACJ inflammation. No more daily naproxens irritating my stomach! No more fear of playing badminton! Life is now much improved as a result of cortisone!

4

I had one about a month ago for severe osteo in my right hip. Tried all the traditional treatments, nothing worked.
Was told by the rheumatologist that it was an all or nothing procedure and since nothing else had worked, he highly recommended it. So I had it and NOTHING!
I was told I would feel dramatic relief within 48 hrs. if it was going to be effective. Unfortunately for me, it didn’t work.

This certainly doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. The doc told me if it was effective, I would probably need to have it redone every six months,which he didn’t see as a problem.

If you’ve tried other remedies and have had no sucess and your doc recommends it, definetly give it a try. The consensus seems to be, when it works, it works great.

5

One last fall in my shoulder got me a couple months of no pain at all. Then, three in my spine for a herniated disk and crushed nerve root seem to have helped but not fixed it.

I bet it’d be a powerful way to get your second hip through the critical job of covering for your first surgery.