Steroid injection side effects

ShortyPants
ShortyPants Member Posts: 2
edited 10. Sep 2025, 12:21 in Living with arthritis

Hi all. I've just joined your community after developing OA around 6 years ago.

I had a total hip replacement in my left leg aged 53 four years ago and now my right hip has decided to join the party!

My consultant has agreed to replace the right hip too, but I thought I'd try a guided cortisone injection first. This went well, with minimum discomfort 5 days ago.

Since then however, I seem to have had a world of side effects, many of which are pretty weird.

• Hot sweats/ shivers (First 4 days - seem to be lessening now)

• Thirsty/peeing/constipation (again, seems slightly better today)

• Burning face (again, seems slightly less today)

• Insomnia

•Palpitations (2-3 times/day)

• Agitation and restlessness (Constant)

• Lack of concentration (Constant)

The stiffness and pain in my hip seemed a bit better today with more mobility in it already, so I thought I'd try a little walk.

An hour after getting back the pain in my hip is worse than ever and I'm also feeling shivery.

Can I just ask if these side effects are normal and also whether a flare is normal after 5 days? I've so been looking forward to getting out walking again without being in pain, so feeling a bit deflated this evening.

Thanks! 😊

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Comments

  • Trish9556
    Trish9556 Member Posts: 939

    @ShortyPants

    Hi

    I suggest you look at the NHS site for cortisone side effects, it may be better to speak to your GP or the department that did your injection - we're you given a guidance sheet?

    We are told to take it easy for her first couple of weeks while your joint settles down and depending on how far you walked, if it was on even ground, up or down hill may all have caused your hip to flare.

    Get yourself checked out with your gp or ring. 111 fir their advice.

    Trish

  • ShortyPants
    ShortyPants Member Posts: 2

    Hi Trish. Thanks for your reply. I didn't walk far and thought I'd taken thing easy, although the ground was a little uneven. I didn't find much of help on the NHS site. I didn't really want to have to go through the trouble of getting a GP appt hence coming on here first, but good idea to check if there's a number from the hospital.

    So I guess in the meantime I'll just need to give it a bit longer... hey ho... 😏

  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 2,009

    Hi @ShortyPants welcome to the online community.

    I see from your post that you have felt very out of sorts since your steroid injection into your hip 5 days ago

    In your shoes I would also be taking advice from 'someone' as suggested by @Trish9556. You have various options of course; your GP, pharmacist, 111 or the department which administered your guided injection.

    Do let us know how you get on

    Ellen

  • Trish9556
    Trish9556 Member Posts: 939
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/737750#Comment_737750

    Hi @shortypants

    Hare you feeling? If you're still feeling the same please contact 111 fir their advice

    Trish

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