How do you manage?

Lylow

So I have apparently arthritis in both knees. But it didn't show up on xrays but on mri amonth or so later it did along with meniscal tears which apparently are not the cause of pain. I have to wait 10 years before they will do anything surgical. I don't know how to cope with that!

I have been offered steroid injection but the last one only worked for 2 weeks!

Jow do I maximise chances of the next injections working? Do I need to rest afterwards or go back to work?

And does anyone know how frequently you can have the injections and for how long?

annabanana

Hi @Lylow , I'm sorry to hear that you haven't had much relief from your last steroid injection. I also did not get long-term relief by using steroids and they only worked for 1-3 weeks each time I went, however it is important to keep in mind that each person is different, I hope that you benefit from your next one. I'm not sure what the "official" guideline on frequency/duration of steroid injections but I got prescribed methotrexate after what I believe to be 3-4 months of steroids having no results.

I personally don't know of any precautions you should take when taking steroids but I have attached a link on steroid injections which may be worth a read?

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/steroid-injections/

frogmorton

I was always told to rest afterwards to keep the steroid injection where it is intended for as long as possible I think.

Unfortunately I think they only do so many of them.

Have you not been offered physiotherapy or anything to help you cope with the pain?

The problem with knee replacements is that they only last so long and revisions are like diminishing returns if you know what I mean? Harder to do and less good results. So they try to get us to hang on as long as possible.

Some people here use knee braces (not constantly or your muscles get weakened I think) some use heat or cold to soothe the pain.

My main advice is to keep as mobile as you can and keep your weight under control partly because it helps the joints, but also because you don't want them to refuse surgery when you finally get there because your BMI is too high. That's happened to a few here.

Take care

Toni x

NunOfTheAbove

You can only have an injection every three months and I believe they will only do three or four maximum. If your pain becomes unbearable you will have to insist that your surgery be brought forward. iTool had little relief from the injections which was annoying because they also cannot operate for at least three months post injection.

You haven’t given your age but I know they try and put it off if you’re still in your fifties or younger. What they don’t take into account is that, if your mobility is affected, you often walk with a different gait to try and compensate, which then causes problems in other joints. I would try knee supports if you can, painkillers if you need them, and see how you get on.

Lylow

Thanks yes I'm 48 so still long time to wait. I've been seen by physio and seen no improvements I haven't found any relief from a knee support either.

II'm on naproxen which does take the edge off the pain but doesnt stop it.

I guess I'm just hoping the injection helps this time which is why I want to do everything to maximise results. Thanks for your responses

frogmorton

Good luck then @Lylow do let us know if it works this time rest up properly that's about all you personally can do. My last one (shoulder) took about 10 days to work (I had pretty well given up) and unfortunately worked for maybe 2 weeks at the most so you have my sympathy.

My ex MIL however she used to have results that lasted about 6 months or even longer🙄

Typical isn't it?

Take care

Toni x