Cortisone shot or not?

[jemmouse]

I have been having knee pain since December. Been in PT since then. Sometimes PT i think makes it hurt worse, anyone think the same? My son was sick and I had to miss a week and I felt great then went back and am sitting with ice on it as I type.

We leave for Disney in 20 days. Recently had an MRI, it showed chondromalacia in knee cap, it band issues, bakers cyst, and sprained acl. Doctor gave me Arthrotec, and Tramadol. I have taken the Arthrotec, but honestly I hate taking pills. The doctor suggested Synvisc shot, I researched and have decided not to do that. However I thought about cortisone injection. Has anyone had one? I have had them in my feet before and it was successful. The thing that gets me is I need to lose 50-60 pounds but it hurts to walk long distance. All last year I was laid up to Plantar Fascitis, and I will be honest I was depressed and ate, yeah well in doing so gained some weight and now issues with knees. Now I know from doctor weight didn't cause but it doesn't help at all. Trying to lose some, got about 3 pounds down and oh so many more but gotta start somewhere.

Back to point should I continue with Arthrotec or press doctor for cortisone? I am quite surprised he offered Synvisc and not cortisone. Also have an appt with a second ortho next week.

Lastly, last year when we were at Disney I had to rent an ECV for Epcot due to feet, it was horrible on me mentally, but physically was better. My issue is people staring, I of course look fine outward, but inside I am hurting. Well now I am facing the same dilemma. I don't want to do it and am praying I wont have to but I know I don't want to be in excruciating pain either. Why do some people have to stare, I mean just be thankful you are in good health and can walk sorry had to vent....

 

[minniecarousel]

My mother was in her late 80's and into her 90's and the cortisone helped her knees a lot. They did become less effective over time. However, I think in someone younger, like you, it would be worth it to try and see if it works for you. You'd probably be looking to do it as a one-time deal anyway.

I definetly think you should ask your doctor about cortisone. It's curious that he'd suggest the synvisc before cortisone. I wonder if that's how they do it now.

Hang in there. I've had PF too - and it's so painful. My knees were bad +40 lbs ago. I'm still overweight, but just taking off some weight really helped my knees.

 

[MushyMushy]

I would. A while back I had tennis elbow so bad I couldn't move my arm and that shot gave me so much relief for a good long while.

 

[NikitaZee]

I would absolutely get the shot - it could help you a great deal, especially before your trip.
I never understood people who stare at someone in an ECV at Disney. It's really no big deal. I don't think most of us pay any attention. If you need to rent one again, go right ahead - and don't feel one bit badly about it.

 

[aprilgail2]

Get the shot at least a week before you leave! I had one in my arm and I couldn't move my arm for 2 days but after that it felt great! I have had them in my foot too and they worked great!

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

I have chondromalacia in both knees...in fact, I posted about it last year. I had two rounds of physio (10 sessions each) and they weren't improving at all (the left was much worse, though). I finally got a cortisone injection and switched physiotherapists. Within a month I was back exercising and as long as I'm careful I can do pretty much anything I want these days.

The shot seemed to be the turning point for me, and since I think there's little risk and a lot to gain, I'd recommend it in a heartbeat.

I know how frustrating it is when you're doing everything you should and aren't seeing any results. However, I wanted to give you some hope that things can improve with conservative treatment

 

[powellrj]

As someone who has had both, I would go with the Synvisc. I am no expert, only someone who had a double knee replacement in her 40's, so take my advice as what it is...

The cortisone is for swelling and inflammation, the synvisc is more for healing. When I had the synvisc, I had 3 injections over several months. Its been years ago so I forget exactly. While it didn't solve my problems and I still needed the replacements I would recommend anyone trying it.

 

[golfgal]

Did they suggest arthroscopic surgery to clean out your knee? That did wonders for my knees. I had it done in college and have had no issues since.

You REALLY need to strengthen your thigh muscles in order for this to go away. Losing the weight will help as well. I would suggest that you start swimming since that won't stress your knee but will strengthen your leg muscles and help you lose weight.

Cortisone injections will help temporarily but may cause MORE issues down the road, just so you are aware of that.

 

[EdiePA]

Just remember that cortisone is not a cure -- you're just treating a symptom, inflammation. Also, do your research. Cortisone can cause other problems -- such as tendon tears.

Does your PT know that you're having more pain? I'm recovering from hip surgery and have PT twice a week. Any time I have pain, my regimen is modified. Definitely not a part of the "no pain, no gain" school.

I was given a cortisone shot prior to my son's wedding and it helped me get through and enjoy -- maybe do it for Disney and then get some answers.

Edie

 

[pixiedustaholic]

I got a cortisone shot for my plantars fasciitis and it seems to have made it worse. How did you get over the PF? I am desperate!

 

[anniemae]

I love cotisone! I had pf, then ra. My knees bother me the most. Once I had the cortisone, I felt so much better.

Just curious on why you decided against the synvisc? My rheumatologist suggested this to me and I am trying to decide.

 

[aprilgail2]

I got a cortisone shot for my plantars fasciitis and it seems to have made it worse. How did you get over the PF? I am desperate!

The cortisone shot made mine feel better the next day! But I also got orthodics which did the trick for good-I am actually due to get new orthodics next month, I have had these others for a year now. I hope the next set is as good!!

 

[Charade]

My wife was just diagnosed yesterday with "frozen shoulder" and has been dealing with it (not knowing what it was) for months. The dr gave her a cortisone shot yesterday morning. We're not sure how that's going to work out since she says the shot area hurts. Hopefully it will help. She's miserable. She's also going back for PT. It's our understanding that these shots are supposed to last a while.

 

[scottmel]

I am 42 and was in pretty good shape! Last August I did something to my knee - hyperextended it and kept limping like crazy. Started PT and was a little too aggressive as my condition did NOT improve. Went to Ortho he gave me steroid shot, swelling went immediately down b/c he drained it prior to shot. However this lasted maybe a week tops? I ended up having surgery on my knee b/c swelling was so excessive they went in to remove the swelling. No tear, and bakers cyst went away. I had great success with PT AFTER surgery, am still in it perfecting my knee but what helped me a TON was a chiropractor who specialized in knees. I feel had I found him in the first place I never would have needed surgery. My patella was off track thus causing the swelling, cyst, etc. I will warn you though there is no such thing as one bad knee. The other will start to compensate.

When my problem STARTED it was early August and I left for Hershey Park a few days later with no swelling just pain. Ended up in the ER w/ my knee the size of a grapefruit due to excessive swelling.

You can TRY the shot, why not, but I would for sure have the scooter and deal with it when you get home. See a second ortho and even a chiropractor specializing in knees. THAT is what got me on track. Literally and figuratively!

 

[disneyismyname]

I have a calcium deposit on my wrist and the doctor gave me a cortisone shot because my wrist would "pop out". Sad to say it didn't work an it still does "pop out" from time to time. I was still in school when I got it done (7 years ago) so maybe medicine has change since then.

 

[jemmouse]

Thank you for all the thoughts....to answer a few...

-Synvisc Injections, both my ortho and PT said it is a CHANCE it could work. Ortho says 50-50,PT says more like 80-20, meaning lower amount it works. Both said it is painful BUT if it would work 100% I would do it, but with the low results I am gonna hold off

- Both my knees are screwed up. The right I had arthroscopic when I. Was 16 then the doc kept me in a straight brace to long and scar tissue built up so bad I couldn't bend it and then had to go back under so they could break it up. I think from over the years when my knee would flare up I would compensate and put on the left leg now it's the left leg that hurts more but the right is also now sore .

The ortho and my podiatrist also agree that my severe over pronating has led me to have knee problems. Last year I had PF went through PT, cortisone injections, and also custom made orthotics. I am always in motion control gym shoes with my orthotics in them. But from all the years of flip flops and such the damage was already made. To those with PF, exercise, exercise, stretches, meds to help with inflammation.

Right now the ortho gave me Arthrotec, and Tramadol. I have used Arthrotec very limited maybe 4-5 doses, and I really don't plan on using the Tramadol, just to have in case.

The PT at times hurts more and aggravates, but is it the old no pain no gain. I don't know. My knees I just hate them! I will be turning 40 this summer and I just feel so beat up. Last year the feet, now the knees, it's like come on already. And I know there are so many worse case scenarios out there and believe me I think then mine is minimal. It's just that I am doing everything they say to do, and I feel like it's not working to where it should be.

I am gonna ask for the cortisone injections in both of my knees a week before I go. hopefully it will get me through Disney. I really don't know why my ortho never suggested it. I am gonna call today and ask about it. If he says no then it might be time to switch doctors. He is a very conservative doctor.

And with the diet I agree 150% that less weight would alleviate pain. But unfortunately dieting is a slow process and I am trying. Just finished my oatmeal a few minutes ago, yummy, NOT but I ate it.

Thank you again for the words of wisdom from all my bad knee and joint friends.

 

[minniecarousel]

I got a cortisone shot for my plantars fasciitis and it seems to have made it worse. How did you get over the PF? I am desperate!

My night splint is among the things that seem to get me out of PF. The PT, stretches, ice all helped too. I had cortisone patches instead of shots.