Cortisone Shot Question

[carolp]

I've had a number of them over the years, the most recent in my right knee. I have very little cartilidge left and I couldn't walk very far. The shot took more than a week to kick in which was longer than they have taken in the past. I am now several months past the shot and it's still keeping the inflammation pretty well at bay. My left knee is titanium, so no more shots in that one!

[LBTC]

My experience:

broken humerus (two places) with 3 pins immobilizing the shoulder and arm for 4 weeks. frozen shoulder (adhesive encapsulitis) kicked in. After the pins were removed, PT 3 times a week for several months, then twice a week for awhile, after about 4 months even with the PT and my own careful exercising daily, my range of motion was not returned. I was stuck at between 10 and 11 oclock for at least a full month without any improvement. Cortisone shot. Surprisingly pain free despite the massive looking needle. I felt like the range of motion was instant, but it was probably the next day....

I really take it seriously when medical professionals suggest that you really ought to have no more than 3 cortisone shots in your lifetime. I hope to never have to use the other two, and I hope, if I ever do, that they will be equally successful!

Range of motion in my shoulder, 8 years later is still good, and stable. Pain is occasional, but pretty non-existant when I keep moving. As my PT Of the time said: move it or lose it.

Good luck with your knees!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~