Hip injection

@msvjv
Depends what may be injected: Steroids or an analgesic?
As you can imagine, it doesn't tickle! lol But compared to other injections in the back or neck, it is one of the 'better' ones. I have always found steroids to be the ones that are 'stingy'.
Of course, the skill of the person doing the injection is very important, but the specialists doing this kind of work are so highly skilled, they are masters at this.
Stay relaxed, keep your muscles calm. The possible results are so beneficial that a second of soreness or discomfort is well worth it.
I get multiple shots in my neck, lower back and hips); I'd say that the hips are the easiest. After my treatment, my 'driver' and I go through a McDonalds for a celebratory coffee!
Hopefully, the results are exactly what you want to discover.
All the best to you. Let us know how you get on.

Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m still curious about how the shot will help decide whether or not I need a hip replacement.. I guess I’ll have to wait and ask about that after I’ve had the injection. P.S. It IS a steroid.

I can just relate what happened with my mom recently. She had extreme pain in her right outer thigh. She was barely able to walk. I took her to her primary and he examined her. By examining her leg and where the pain was, he knew it was actually her hip that was causing the thigh pain. He ordered an x-ray of her hip. It revealed bone on bone in that hip and it was indeed the cause of the thigh pain. He referred her to an orthopedic office where a doctor used a real time scanned view to guide him to the right location for the cortisone shot. He gave it to her in her groin. I had no idea that was possible. She didn’t get any anesthesia and didn’t report it being painful. She jumped once when she got a shot in her knee. The shot helped a lot to lessen the pain. It hasn’t lasted very long though.

I got a shot in each shoulder for frozen shoulder by a rheumatologist once and felt no pain. It helped a lot.

I hope your procedure goes well, I’dvask that they explain everything before they start.

Thank you!

@msvjv, The timing of your first discussion post is perfect! I am scheduled with orthopedist tomorrow. PCP has been following me with my hip pain, and decided that I could benefit from a cortisone injection. I don't know if I will need a new x-ray, and I don't even know if the ortho will give the shot tomorrow or will want more information. So, my fingers are crossed for a good resolution for me, and for you.
@celia16, @thisoldewe - I really appreciate the experience that you shared. My appointment is in the same clinic after my 4 month wrist fracture check with the NP in the hand dept.
I hope to have good news to share tomorrow.

Hi. Do you already know you need a hip replacement? My ortho wants me to have the injection as a way of diagnosing the need for a hip replacement. If my pain goes away he says it’s my hip causing the pain and I’ll likely need a replacement.

My question is: what if my pain is caused from the arthritis in my back or from bursitis. If I understand it correctly, the injection would also relieve pain from those sources so how would he know if it was the hip, the back arthritis or the bursitis causing the pain!

Let me know how it goes tomorrow, especially how the injection goes if you get one. And thank you so much for reaching out.

I’m apparently using an incorrect way to reply. Please let me know if you got my first response to your reply. I suck at this technology stuff.

@msvjv Yes your response posted just above your 2nd. FYI - Sometimes there is a slight delay before it shows up!
I'm not a hip replacement candidate. This is me first hip problem. I will let you know what I learn and if I get the injection.

My mom was told she definitely needs hip replacement, but she’s 83 and will not consider surgery. It’s not a good situation.

Hi msvjv,

Is this a cortisone injection in your hip? I'm assuming it is. Those are guided injections with the use of ultrasound.

I'm a little surprised that the injection is being used to identify the source of your pain. What did the xray of your hip show? If arthritis is present you could be experiencing pain from the hip joint. A cortisone injection would help with that.

I don't think an injection in the hip would relieve lower back pain. For that an epidural is usually administered into the lumbar spinal canal.

So it seems you're having pain in the hip, and your lumbar spine is compromised by some condition(s). These are two separate issues. A little more info from you would help, although your best bet is to call your Dr and get your questions answered.

Finally, a cortisone injection in the hip, or any joint, is not very painful. The injection site is cooled with liquid nitrogen spray first. The injection itself contains lidocaine to numb the injection as well as the cortisone. And pain relief is not immediate. It usually takes a few days for the cortisone to work if arthritis is the problem.

Problems with the spine are usually addressed by a specialist in spinal surgery, while the hips and knees are usually addressed by an orthopedic surgeon specializing in those areas.

Anyway make a list of questions and reach out to your Dr - or ask him/her when you get the injection. All the best to you!

Joe