Arthritis

What is Osteoarthritis, and why is it painful?

What can I do about Osteoarthritis?

Info about Knee Arthritis

 

“Cortisone Shots” (Steroid Injections):

send a strong anti-inflammatory medicine right to the scene, without the side effects of steroid pills or NSAIDs 

  • Two drugs are injected at the same time, and fill the joint, tendon sheath or bursa: a local anesthetic, like novocaine and a corticosteroid, like DepoMedrol®.
  • The novocaine numbs it immediately. The steroid will start to work in 2-7 days.
  • Your pain will return in about an hour when the novocaine wears off. 1 in 5 patients experience “rebound pain”, and the area that was injected is more painful for 1-2 days until the steroid kicks in. Rest, apply ice, move gently…this too shall pass.
  • Pain relief could last for months or years, when combined with good habits and basic medications. If your pain comes back, it might be time for surgery.
  • There’s no hard-fast rule about how often you can have a cortisone shot. You may have heard that “you can only have 2 or 3 shots per year.” At this rate, you’re getting at least 4-6 months of relief. For patients who can’t have surgery, periodic steroid injections could be the answer.
  •  It’s important to know…
    • …unlike arthritis pills, cortisone shots don’t interact with other medicines. If you take a lot of pills, then a shot into a painful joint or two might be your safest option. 
    • …there aren’t many side effects from cortisone shots. Injecting steroid medication into an inflamed joint is not the same as taking steroids long-term by mouth. 
    • …that diabetic patients may have higher blood sugar level after the shot. Continue your usual diabetes medicine regimen and it will stabilize within a few days. 
    • …that steroid injections don’t cure arthritis; they quiet inflammation that is causing pain. 
    • …you can’t become or “hooked” on the shots. Inflammation from wear-and-tear happens at different rates in different patients. Joints with more wear have more friction and need stronger treatments.
    • …your pain will come back if you don’t address the reason it started in the first place. Learn to use your joints and tendons properly; exercise to keep your muscles and ligaments strong and flexible.
  • Will it hurt? “Friends” may have told you the shots are painful. Please don’t let them frighten you!
    • The whole process takes about 10 seconds. A very thin needle is used, so you only feel a slight prick.
    • The needle goes into the space between the bones, not into the bone.
    • The novocaine might burn as it fills the joint until it gets numb.
    • About 2 teaspoons of medicine are placed into a knee or shoulder, less is used for smaller joints, like wrists and fingers.
    • At first it may feel strange and full. Notice your immediate response–your pain will be gone and you’ll stride comfortably out of the office!

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