Side effects of cortisone injection?

I'm almost 70 with osteoarthritis and here is what I've learned about cortisone shots:

30 plus years ago the thinking in the medical community was that three cortisone shots was the limit for any joint. Beyond that they feared ligament and tendon deterioration.

That's changed and more than three shots in a joint is not uncommon. My left shoulder could be replaced today if I wanted, it's bone on bone. But I can still raise my arm straight up with some pain, not terrible. I can still do almost all the things I want in the gym. And even that pain goes away with a cortisone shot when the pain/discomfort returns.

Once the joint (any joint) gets to the point where you can't do normal activities, it's time for a replacement. For example, if you can't use stairs, it's time for a knee or maybe hip replacement. I've had both knees replaced with great success.

And I have found cortisone shots to be fickle. The last one in my shoulder was great. I've been pain free for well over 6 weeks. Before that, I've had shots that sorta worked, and shots in my knee that seldom worked.

Anyway my advice is that if you can get through the day without a lot of trouble and you can sleep, stick with the cortisone shots and put off the surgery. Otherwise, find a good surgeon and get the replacement.

Thank you. I think that is sound advice. Even my medical doctor says that knee replacement is extreme. I have friends very happy with theirs and others that say they'd never do it again.
I am sticking with exercise, good nutrition and shots for now!

Thank you! I think success in knee, or any joint replacement is the quantity and quality of post-op physical therapy. Yes there are some bad surgeons out there, but we can decide who will work on us.

I have found that people who are unhappy with their replacement surgery simply didn't do the work required. Knee replacement is a traumatic procedure, with a lot of swelling and stiffness. But the only way to reduce that is by 3x daily exercises - the Dr will give these to you.

A little work will go am long way to a successful replacement.

Can you explain what nerve ablation is please. I refuse to do injections but need help. Thanks!

Electric current is sent to the offending pain nerves and it cauterizes the pain nerves. It is a very short procedure. I thought it might be painful, but I was surprised how easy it was. I went to a pain doctor (anesthesiologist) here in Tucson.

How do they know which are the offending nerves?? Curious.

@vicscats Hello and welcome to Connect. I am a cervical surgical patient for stenosis. We’ve also got a lot of discussions in the Spine Group you may be interested in. I like your name and I’ve 3 cats of my own bouncing around over here.

Have you followed up with your doctor about your current symptoms? Has stenosis become worse since your spine surgeries?

I am allergic to one of the 5 classes of steroids.
I got the Zillretta shot in both knees, it contains a corticosteroid I am not allergic to. It was no more painful at the site than getting an injection of Synvisc, the rooster cartilage. I had no headache.
My knees were nearly pain free for 3 months to the day after getting these shot. I was dazzled at the improvement. The injections are only expected to help for 3 months. Medicare paid for these injections.
Sounds good- yet I will never get another one again. One month after the injection I noticed an unusual amount of hair loss on my head Two months later I would get big handfuls of hair coming out. My hair at my hair line is not as thick as the rest of my head and I was beginning to see my scalp at my hair line. I was continually cleaning my hair brushes and my vacume filled up with hair. Even my husband commented. I feared I would be wearing a wig.
It took about 4 months for the sloughing to slow and new hair to start to regrow, but at my hairline it won't grow much than 2-3 inches even now 3 years later.
Twelve days ago I got PRP injections in both knees. It's an injection of your own platlets into the knees. It is reported to take several weeks for absorption and to start to notice results. I think my knees are somewhat better, but supposedly one can't judge until 6 weeks. After that I'll report back. So far no negative side affects. Yet Medicare doesn't pay for this and the cost out of pocket for 2 knees was $1,700.

I have had several nerve conduction and muscle testing done. On my legs for lumbar surgery, on my arms and hands and neck to assess numbness in my hands and elbow compression. The report is a long list of reaction times that show where the compression or block is. They do the ablation by ultrasound or x-ray guidance. I was referred to a pain management clinic by a neurosurgeon where a doctor told me about options. The neurosurgeon did not want to do any surgery unless it got worse. I had already had 3 back surgeries over 30+ years.

Update of the PRP injections in May of 2024.
They made no difference in knee strength, pain or in any aspect of regaining my knee capabilities.