Steroid injection in knee

rainbowjen

Hi, I only found this forum yesterday but Im so glad I did as you all seem so knowledgeable and supportive.

Ive had a steroid injection in my knee this morning as the consultant iss hoping it will help with pain and swelling. An MRI scan has shown that the cartilage behind my right knee cap has totally degenerated, hence the pain and swelling.

I had it done about miday and ever since my knee and shin feel like they are on fire inside, but don't feel hot to the touch. Is this normal? He did say to expect an increase in pain over the next few days, but this is burning, not what I expected. Ive also had a banging headache for the last couple of hours, will this be connected?

Thanks for taking the time to read this post

Jen

stickywicket

First off, Jen, I do hope the injection helps. Secondly, to give it its best chance of helping, I hope you were told to rest up for a couple of days and keep off it as much as possible to enable the stuff to stay where it’s most needed.

I don’t remember pain afterwards though many on here do report it.

I’d guess – and it’s only an uneducated guess – is that the headache is a result of all the tension that's part and parcel of such stuff. However, if it persists asks someone who’d know.

rainbowjen

Thank you for the reply.

He didn't give me any instructions for afterwards, I think he was trying to escape the room as fast as possible because I went green and threw up just after he had done it. LOL! To be honest I feel so crappy this afternoon Ive been on the settee willing myself to feel better for a meal out this evening so have been resting it. The burning sensation is actually greater than the usual 'toothachey' throb I have in my knee when resting

elnafinn

Hi Jen

I hope the injection helps and brings some relief.

You will feel some discomfort as the local anaesthetic wears off. The pain may be initially worse than before the injection.

If you need pain relief, you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, if you have not had any prescribed. If you're having physiotherapy,you may be encouraged to move the joint. Alternatively, you may have been advised to keep movements to a minimum for a day or two, so it's important to follow the medical advice given to you.

If you are not sure what you should be doing post injection, contact a medic where you had it done.

Most people have no problems, however, contact your GP if you have a high temperature or if persistent swelling or pain in the joint does not settle within 24 hours.

I wish you all the best

Elna x

rainbowjen

Thank you Elna, Ive taken 2 tramadol and 2 paracetamol as my other knee is bad at the moment too. Im not having physio at the moment but the ortho consultant I saw today has said I can use my exercise bike once the pain and swelling have started to settle.

dreamdaisy

Oh dear, poor you, I do empathise. I have had these done a number of times and I know only too well the pain you are describing. It is quite different to the usual - my knees would feel so sore - but sore inside. I was always told to have at least 24 hours bed rest (tho the hospital preferred 48) and I always did. To be honest I never had that much success with them but for others they work brilliantly and I hope you are in that camp. If you do go out tonight please try not to put the treated knee under any undue strain - and that includes sitting down for too long. Both you and your knee need some TLC! Take care and please let us know how you get on with it. DD

tjt6768

I've had similar once the local bit if it wears off but it should ease soon. Rest it as much as possible first day our so..
Really hope you get some benefit from it..
And welcome to the forum

rainbowjen

Thank goodness for the knowledge and support on here, I wouldn't have known to rest it at all. I will have my crutches this evening and will make sure I go for a hobble/shuffle ( you all know the kind of walk I mean Im sure ) every half hour or so. Mind you Id planned on not sitting too long, the chairs in the restaurant are notoriously uncomfortable - Im sure its done on purpose so you don't linger over coffee.......

I didn't realise that there would be any anaesthetic in the injection either, he literally told me nothing! No thats untrue, he told me it wouldn't hurt any more than having blood taken - I asked him if he had had it done and if he hadn't how did he know what it felt like?!

dreamdaisy

Ah - we might at cross-purposes here! I have never had a steroid on its own, mine have always been aspirated before the steroid, i.e. extra fluid sucked out before the gunk is squirted in. A friend of my Ma's recently had just a steroid and I recall now that she didn't have any local anaesthetic either. OUCH is all I can say! The only time you will see me trying to walk quickly is when one of these things is suggested - I loathe them with a passion I didn't think I could feel for anything.

However that does not alter the fact that the joint should be rested as thoroughly as possible, in order to give the steroid time to 'sink in' and thus give it the best chance to work. Rest as much as you can now so that you can properly can-can later on this evening. DD

rainbowjen

It wasn't actually as bad as I feared DD, I wouldn't be in a hurry to have another, but Ive had worse if you know what I mean. I didn't like the size of the needle though, at least he didn't say 'just a little prick' or Id have said he wasn't that bad

Im just trying to visualise me doing the can- can.......... not a pretty sight

valval

i had mine done in october yes rest for 24 hours and put ice on it if still painfull (peas wrapped in towel ) for about 10 min at a time it does get better and knee hurt more than sternum that i had done couple of weeks before keep pain meds up till settles phone hospital if at all worried good luck val

barbara12

Hi Jen
I had one a couple of years ago, it was such a strange sensation, I do remember the muscle sought of grabbing the needle, I didn't get any instructions but I did rest it that night, has for the hot feeling I just got this in my face, I do get a slight reaction to steroids.
I hope it eases up very soon, I must say it did ease the pain for a while.

freesia

Yep - have had several injections into both knees over the last couple of years... Only on the last one did I experience "burning" like you say you are having... JUST REST as much as possible but obviously move the joint regularly...

I was informed that because of lack of cartilege (which I have too) is why it felt as though it was burning so much... guess it really hit the spot..

You should see an improvement after 24-48 hours... fingers crossed...

dreamdaisy

Hello, how are things this morning? I hope you enjoyed your dinner and that the knee isn't so painful. DD

rainbowjen

Hi, the burning sensation has eased off thank goodness but the banging headache is still there, I get stress migraines so I think it may be that rather than a reaction to the steroid, although I do occasionally need oral steroids for tongue swelling and they always give me a headache.

Dinner was delicious, Im hoping to go again with my hubby in a couple of weeks for his birthday.

The knee and down my shin are a bit achey but not as bad as I expected, Im able to do the actions of sitting and standing easier - instead of all my knee hurting when I do, its just the outer aspect of my knee cap, so I don't think the cortisone has got to that bit. Onwards and upwards, I was willing to give anything a try as I couldn't go on with that level of pain and immobility, Im 44 and was shuffling like someone twice my age!! LOL!

Hope everyone else is having a pain and stress free day