Steroid injections in knees

MT62
I had a knee replacement 7 years ago, afterwards the surgeon told me he had added a wedge to straighten my leg, it improved it a lot. Before the op I was wearing jeggings and said to him that I looked like a cartoon jockey!. Waiting to have second knee done now, will ask about wedge! It would be good to have 2 straight legs.

I had bursitis some years back in both thighs got injections worked a treat

Three years on and both knees totally replaced within 5 months of each other. Brilliant. Totally pain free. Go for it but follow ALL advice from Physio.

It's made absolutely no difference for my knee. Torn meniscus.

Elrel

MT62
I had a knee replacement 7 years ago, afterwards the surgeon told me he had added a wedge to straighten my leg, it improved it a lot. Before the op I was wearing jeggings and said to him that I looked like a cartoon jockey!. Waiting to have second knee done now, will ask about wedge! It would be good to have 2 straight legs.

Where did they add the wedge? I shall enquire about that. Good to know 😊👍🏻

MayBee70

I put off having the injection for ages. I had one booked last year but was going away on holiday and didn’t want any problems with it so cancelled. When I tried to book another appointment there was a long waiting list. I find that I can hardly walk when I’ve been in the car for several hours but the other week put the tens machine on my knee and was able to walk straight away. I alternate between tens and massage. I tried taking codeine but that didn’t help. I’m running out of options.

I was on co- codamol but found it was making me confused.
Now just take paracetamol. If the pain is bad I use a volterol suppository at night. Not good for the kidneys, so use sparingly.
Funny thing is I am on weight loss jabs & the pain hasn’t been too bad lately. Probably two stone weight loss has helped too.

Koratlady3

Three years on and both knees totally replaced within 5 months of each other. Brilliant. Totally pain free. Go for it but follow ALL advice from Physio.

Yes I’ve found those that don’t do the exercises every day don’t seem to do as well.
My aunt was using the electric recliner to move her leg up & down (to bend it).
I asked at the knee school, nurse said that was Classed as exercise 😳 tbh, she hasn’t faired well & said she won’t be bothering with the replacement on the other knee.

Bellanonna

I’ve had three cortisone injections in my knee, the maximum allowed I believe. The third one was 6 years ago and has been very successful. Now I just get occasional twinges whereas before, the pain was crippling.

Think you are right. I have had ten in each knee, which I think has made my knees worse. I think to my understanding it degrades the tissues.
Really there should have been more communication between MSK clinic, knee specialist & my Gp who also added more injections.

Had it in right knee - didn't work, but if it doesn't work, you are NO worse off, so take a chance. I do know people who it has worked for

MT62

Bellanonna

I’ve had three cortisone injections in my knee, the maximum allowed I believe. The third one was 6 years ago and has been very successful. Now I just get occasional twinges whereas before, the pain was crippling.

Think you are right. I have had ten in each knee, which I think has made my knees worse. I think to my understanding it degrades the tissues.
Really there should have been more communication between MSK clinic, knee specialist & my Gp who also added more injections.

It’s probably worth risking the long term effects if it means you can regain some mobility, exercise more and get fitter. My partners next door neighbour is a doctor and he isn’t keen on steroid injections long term. I have to be very strict with my diet to keep my weight down.

Cardamom

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?

Try a good hyaluronic acid capsule.

They sound good but I have Dupuytrans in my hand and high cholesterol so not sure if it’s something I should take.

My son had his "cleaned out" and then injections. They lasted about 5 years on his active lifestyle.

They are talking about cartilege replacement

Nearly three weeks after the injection and I think my knee might be feeling a bit better. Then again the weather has warmed up and that always helps. Going to do some gardening tomorrow so it will be interesting to see if it hurts after I've been on my feet for a while.

How do they replace cartilage?

How do they replace cartilage

Yes I'd be interested to know that too. I've had 3 arthroscopies but they've flatly refused to do another even though, for me, they gave me total pain relief for 7 or 8 years between each op. If they can now replace cartilage, I'd ask for that as an alternative.

I don't understand why I can't have an arthroscopy given that the pain is only in one part of my knee and I'm sure it was partly due to my dog running into my leg.

Nor me MayBee70 and I did ask my consultant for the reason. He muttered something about patients with osteoarthritis no longer being suitable candidates for arthroscopies because they don't think it's any more beneficial than physiotherapy. Having had both, I'd strongly disagree but, as I don't have enough money to go privately, I'll just have to suck it up.

I still don’t really understand exactly what’s going on inside my knee as the x ray results make no sense to me and I don’t think my doctor (well the one that I saw as I never see the same doctor twice these days) understands them either.

Have you had an MRI scan MayBee70? The x rays I had only confirmed that there was no bone on bone friction so that ruled out any need for a TKR but my consultant decided that an MRI would show more of what was going on inside the knee. Could you possibly ask for that?

Just an x ray. And the x ray on my bad knee read exactly the same as the x ray on my good knee.

The consultant showed me the x rays and I’m annoyed with myself for not asking if I could photograph them to show my physio.

MayBe70 You can request a copy of your X-ray. There is a form you complete and I obtained mine from my GP surgery initially and then it was forwarded to the hospital.

Thanks. I was surprised that my GP didn’t have a picture of the x ray just had the written report which made no sense to me or my physio.

MayBe70 I remember thinking the same thing. I think it’s to do with the Data Protection Act. But well worth obtaining a copy. Good Luck.
I actually went abroad to have my knee replaced and it was the best decision I have ever made.