Question about Cortisone shots...

[BC]

I had an awful pain in my left arm that started last Wednesday and just to make a long story short, it continually worsened until I finally went to the Dr on Monday morning. After x-rays (which he said were not that good because I could not move my arm around), he decided it may be tendonitis and put 2 cortisone shots in my shoulder/arm. He said it takes 48 hrs for cortisone to do all it is going to do and I should see a marked difference by then. My question is this. I indeed am much better, alot more mobility and no more throbbing pain, however, it is still achy and uncomfortable at times around the top of my arm which is where the pain was always the worst, but also where he put the shots. Is this the best it is going to get or with tendonitis, does it take time for it to completely get better? The way he talked after 48 hrs it is as good as it's going to get and I certainly hope not. Just thought many of you may have had cortisone shots before and could share your experience after you had them. Thanks!

 

[golfgal]

You should also be icing every couple hours and taking ibuprofen on schedule. DD had a similar wrist injury last week (Wed) and got a steroid shot and has been icing and taking ibuprofen every 6 hours and her wrist is pretty much healed.

 

[tzolkin]

My MIL gets the shots in her knee every few months. She says it is painful/uncomfortable for the first day or two, but after that i feels so much better. She usually gets them when she comes to visit us (my DH works with orthopedic surgeons), so we plan to take it easy that day and the next day because she's not comfortable with a lot of walking.

If it's still bothering you after a few days, I would see the dr again.
Hopefully you will be feeling better soon.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

My MIL gets the shots in her knee every few months. She says it is painful/uncomfortable for the first day or two, but after that i feels so much better. She usually gets them when she comes to visit us (my DH works with orthopedic surgeons), so we plan to take it easy that day and the next day because she's not comfortable with a lot of walking.

If it's still bothering you after a few days, I would see the dr again.
Hopefully you will be feeling better soon.

I got a shot in my knee around Christmas time because of combined tendonitis and chondromalacia (cartilage damage). My knee hurt all the time...I couldn't even sleep it ached so badly. I was really frustrated two days after the shot when it still didn't feel all that much better (although at least is didn't ache quite so much). However, it did significantly improve in the days after that, and I was almost pain-free after a week.

OP - There is still hope! My doctor said that the shot he gave me peaks about 10 days after you get it, and that it would continue to improve over that time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you will have as good a recovery as I did.

 

[Hillbeans]

I had a cortisone shot in my left arch/heel about 6 weeks ago...it took about a week of wearing good shoes with support for the ache to subside. It definitely helped speed the healing process along.

 

[cassiez76]

i got one monday in the lower hip/butt area and it's still a little tender and i'm black and blue! i get it for the psoriasis i have on my fingers and i really haven't seen a difference this time.

 

[golfgal]

i got one monday in the lower hip/butt area and it's still a little tender and i'm black and blue! i get it for the psoriasis i have on my fingers and i really haven't seen a difference this time.

You get a cortisone shot in your butt for an aliment on your fingers??

 

[kathie859]

You get a cortisone shot in your butt for an aliment on your fingers??

'Cause I got a shot in the butt for my knees/hips. It was unbelievable in my case. I felt immediately better I had some painful mobility issues and this fixed me up just fine. I occasionally have some discomfort but nothing like I was having! I know if I ever have that sort of pain again, I am not going to hesitate to ask for another shot.

 

[minkydog]

I've had several cortisone shots, in my heels, my post-tibial tendon, and both thumb joints. I was always sore for several days until the swelling goes down. Be sure you're icing the joint--heat will just inflame it more. And be sure you are resting the joint. THe cortisone helps speed healing, but your tendinitis hasn't been cured just yet. In my experience, tendinitis can take a long time to resolve, especially if it is in a joint that you use a lot. You may need to wear a sling for a few more days just so the joint isn't stressed. BElieve it or not, just walking around with you arm hanging down is enough to pull on those tendons.

 

[BC]

Minkydog, I think you are right. He did indeed give me a sling, but I only wore it the first 2 days as he told me I could use it as needed. Maybe I should put it back on.

 

[cassiez76]

You get a cortisone shot in your butt for an aliment on your fingers??

lol i think it's weird too, but that's here they give it. if it was in my fingers, then i'd really have problems. my butt has an awesome bruise from the shot.