Side effects of cortisone injection?

@heyjoe415
P.S. The doctor who does my injections says that surgery isn’t always the answers and he still has people come for injections after surgery. Sometimes surgery can cause new problems which is why I am delaying surgery and getting injections. My back is so bad now I’m afraid to make things worse.

Hi Hope,

I had the same type of condition - spinal stenosis at L4, L5, and S1 - add to that a ruptured ( not herniated) disc at L5/S1 and scoliosis for good measure. I was a little older when this happened, 58. I couldn't stand for more than a minute due to pinched sciatic nerves. It was awful.

The first surgeon I saw would only do fusion, and I wanted to avoid that. A second surgeon said fusion was recommended, but he did laminotomies at L4, L5, and S1, removed the ruptured disc from the spinal canal, used the holes he drilled into the vertebra to clean up arthritis spurs and didn't do any fusion. I recovered very quickly and everything has been fine since - I'm 69 y/o now so it's been 11 years.

The second surgeon reasoned that my back was so bad, it was worth trying the non-fusion laminotomies to see if that worked. If not, he said he would do a fusion of S1-L5 and probably L4 as well. Never happened. (Laminotomy does not remove as much bone as a laminectomy, and leaves some spinal support structures in place.)

So check around. I don't think you're too young to have these issues. I'd be surprised if you didn't also have scoliosis to some degree.

All the best to you, and please keep us updated! Joe

I understand your point Hope. Find a good surgeon. Done properly, surgery should help your situation, not make it worse. And if your surgeon can do laminotomies, less bone is removed from the vertebra and spinal integrity will be better. And you may be able to avoid fusion.

It just depends on how much your life is affected. I couldn't stand for any length of time and had to so something. Life was miserable. My surgeon took the least invasive route and it all went well. Of course, we're all different.

Thanks, @heyjoe415 !

I will ask my surgeon who did my ACDF on my C5-C6 (for cervical spondylitic myelopathy affecting walking, bladder, arm/hand strength and dexterity) if he does laminating and if that would be an option. My quality of life has been poor, especially the last 5+ years. It is hard for me to stand, walk, sit, etc. for long and very limited in what I can do. If I do anything, it takes a day or more to recover (from pain/exhaustion).

I'm sorry to hear that you have issues with more than one joint. How do you manage day to day joint pain ?
I read the article on cortisone steroids but I think it was talking about long term use as far as all the side effects. That being said, I do get a headache whenever I get a cortisone shot. For about 48 hours. So, side effects are real, albeit temporary for me. It's always a trade off it seems. Wish I could find a healthier alternative to joint pain. Without knee replacement.
Thanks for all your input. God Bless!

Hi Koleke, and thank you for your concern.

Unfortunately I picked up the osteoarthritis gene from my Mom. On top of that, I ran about 25 marathons. My running career ended in 2003 when I had the entire medial meniscus removed from one knee. 19 years later, I had both knees replaced, with really great success. I exercise on a spin bike now, taking three or four classes a week.

Osteoarthritis can and likely will affect all of my joints - knees, hips, shoulder, hands and feet. Oh and the spine. I've had laminotonies, not fusion (yet) to widen my spinal canal from arthritic spurs.

I always make a point of seeking good care whenever I can. FWIW, if I don't already have a surgeon, I look for Drs in their late 30s to late 40s, with a good med school and residency pedigree. These people are still pretty young and ambitious, they are current on the latest surgical techniques, and they've probably done thousands of procedures. This really works. And I consider a first visit an interview where I can assess the Dr, as best as I can. And at that point, I'm mostly looking for someone who 1) gives me the time I need, 2) answers my questions, 3) offer other options before surgery (if possible) and 3) stands behind their work. I read all their patient evaluations. So far, so good.

As far as day to day pain or discomfort - usually Aleve or Tylenol will help. I won't use opiates, except right after surgery and if I really need them. That's just a personal choice.

In the meantime, cortisone shots have worked pretty well. I don't have side effects, at least none I remember.

Thanks again! Joe

I was your age, and with similar problems, when I had my first spine surgery after PT and more. It was successful and lasted until this past year, ‘23. I did a lot of careful living I’d never have enjoyed without it. At 76, I’m a bit slower but I can function

Hey Sparkle - thanks and I'm glad you're feeling well, albeit slower. At 76 that's an accomplishment!

What kind of spine surgery did you have? Fusion?

I have avoided fusion and stay in very good shape, especially my core. But after successful laminotomies at L4, L5 and S1 and ruptured disc removal 10 years ago, my new surgeon looked at my X-rays and said my strong core is what is keeping me from a fusion (I turn 70 in October). I really don't want fusion and am curious if that's what you had done and how it worked out.

If anyone else would like to comment, please do and thank you all. Joe

I am on Prednisone daily for PMR. All my joints are disintegrating and I will have my 4th joint replacement in a few weeks. I have had several cortisone injections into my joints and they usually helped the pain for a while but the additional steroid made me shaky, could not read my handwriting. Unsteady, nervous and shaky all over and increased my overall steroid load. Sleep was hard to come by. Probably no problem if you aren’t already taking steroids. No more injections for me.

Yes looking at hemilamanectomy
Thanks