Anyone ever had a cortisone injection to the knee?

[Connonym]

How excruciatingly painful is the injection? I've had them in my spine but you can't see the needle when you're lying on your stomach so it's not so scary but I understand the needle is ENORMOUS

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

1. Just had one on Tuesday, in fact.

He aspirated the excess fluid from my knee, but first he numbed it up a bit with a shot that only nips for a second. He gave a minute for it to take effect, then after that there was no pain. Then he used the same needle for the cortisone so there were no further pokes.

Stay relaxed, keep your eyes closed, and think happy thoughts. It'll be over in moments.

[DeepBlueC]

2. I have had an injection

Not cortisone, but hyaluronic acid, which goes deep into the joint so I guess the needle must have been long, but, although I saw it, I made a point of not examining it in any detail. With this injection they give you an injection of lidocaine first so it is pretty numbed up for the Durolane injection. I do remember that there was one point that felt rather shocking because it was so deep... but I think that was the lidocaine going in. If the cortisone injection is given the same way it is the first injection that you will feel but only I think when it gets into the joint capsule. You don't really see this needle either as you will be lying on your back with your knees up.

What is the injection for? Mine was for osteoarthritis and for that I can tell you that the hyaluronic acid is preferable to cortisone as its effect lasts longer and there are fewer side effects.

[Connonym]

3. They've never really diagnosed the exact problem

Three years ago the orthopedic doctor said probably arthritis but he couldn't rule out something with tendons or whatever unless he did an arthroscopic view. He said to give it some time and see what happened -- 3 years is long enough I figure and it's only gotten worse so I think I need to finally go in and have the injection.

[NJmaverick]

7. Did you have an MRI done?

[Connonym]

17. I shudder at the cost of my deductable on that

I was without insurance for several years and have only been insured since January of this year. So of course when I got insurance I went in and got caught up on all my preventative care plus had a few unplanned ER visits and hospital stays. I'm already crushed under the burden of my current medical bills and I'm willing to say "fuck it" with the cause and just treat the pain. I've applied to the hospital to have a reduction in my fees and it's good for the preceding 6 months and the next 6 months so if that gets approved I'll have the MRI. If not it'll just have to wait and (literally) limp along until I can afford it.

[DeepBlueC]

11. probably a good idea

but arthritis really is easily visible on a simple x-ray. This business about not being able to tell without an arthroscopic view sounds like he was selling up.

[SeattleGirl]

4. I have, and there was hardly any pain.

They numbed the area first, then gave me the shot. Didn't really hurt at all, and my knee was much better afterwards.

[old mark]

5. I had one done about 6 years ago,

It hure like hell, and stayed painful for several weeks.

BUT - I later determined the DR. who gave the shot to be a real quack, and I have never been back to him since.

mark

[littlebit]

6. I have had them in the knee and the shoulder.

The one in the knee didn't really hurt at all. The one in the shoulder hurt a lot.

[emilyg]

16. I'll back you up on the shoulder.

Hurt like h******L

[PBS Poll-435]

8. Had one for my ankle a few years ago

Felt like acid being injected with a Wendy's Frosty straw.

[Hugin]

9. Yes.

And compared to the pain I was feeling from my knee... It was well worth it.

I sat right there and egged the Doctor on.

I had some sort of bursitis of the pad where the tendon rubbed.

I hope it will work as well for you as it did for me. Here's hoping. :crossesfingers:

[Westegg]

10. I've had them in my big toe during gout attacks...

...and found them, for a few seconds, very painful. However, nothing compared to the pain of a bad gout attack, and the relief they brought was sweet, swift and blessed.

My suggestion? LOOK AWAY!

You'll be fine, Connonym. Trust me.

[msanthrope]

12. I've had a knee and both wrists....knee one hurt but the left wrist

hurt the most.

[soleft]

13. I've had 3 in my shoulder

The first one was terribe because he hit the bone, but then he got better on subsequent shots and it was painful but not excruciating. Mostly you feel intense pressure.

[Deja Q]

14. I've had it in the neck. Can't see it there either. Would rather not see it anyway...

Good luck!

BTW: Speaking of big needles... O8)

[applegrove]

15. My dad just had one last week. Says it works great on his arthritis.