Anybody have a Kenalog (Steroid) injection during MUA, after TNA?

Posted by cathymw @cathymw, Nov 6, 2024

I had to plead for an MUA (Manipulation under anesthesia) after my total knee was not working as a joint should. I religiously did everything as directed. Went to PT 3x/wk... exercise at home... Reached good numbers under torture, but couldn't retain them. Knee was always bent and it was painful.

2nd opinion Doc guided me to the need of an MUA. My surgeon insisted that he wanted to inject a corticosteroid in my knee during the procedure, although I had read many contraindications. He was the Dr., so I went along with it.

So glad I had the MUA- my knee stays at +125* and is straight 0*. I am hiking, walking, bicycling... What is the problem you ask?

I always had a very steady heart rate of 60s- low 70s. After that steroid (40mg Kenalog), I had so many side effects. My heart rate sped up to +120s and was pounding, I was "hyper" and couldn't rest, I was irritable and couldn't sleep, aggression feelings, weight loss, yeast infection...

The effects lessened after a week or so after the procedure but my heart rate still has not gone back to the 60s as it always has been. It still will be in the 90s some mornings, or even as high as 100/min. It doesn't pound like it did (except when exercising), and it is regular at least. I do not take any medications, aside from my Ibuprofen and Tylenol (12 weeks since manipulation, my knee still is touchy at times, stiff in morning... other knee needs to be done).

I feel that I will be led to pursue a cardiologist workup and no documentation will be done from my daily home assessments (I am an RN). It is difficult to find research on this as I feel it isn't even reported. I read about similar experiences on Reddit. I was sent home with very little guidance, no follow-up other than a phone call and my contact via "MyChart". Guaranteed my issue is not documented.

Is my heart affected forever by one innocent injection of a steroid that I did not want? I dread a subsequent workup as it will be a new year soon enough, and that will all be out-of-pocket. I do not want to be put on any maintenance medication.

Beware of Kenolog injections (Triamcinolone)!!!

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eer | @eer | Apr 11 8:36pm

I am in my 40s and have had a similar experience with Kenalog. Went to urgent care my heart was racing and had palpitations. I’m about 20 days post injection and heart is not as crazy but is still high. Did yours come back to normal? Did you go to a cardiologist- I’m thinking about it.

cathymw | @cathymw | Apr 12 6:47am

It’s been since last July and my heart rate has still not returned to my consistent regular 60s. Although it is within normal range 80s, sometimes it is as high as 90 bmp when I check it upon arising. I listen to my heart every morning and take my pulse. It was always in the 60s. My surgical reports indicated that for sure, and pre-MUA Dr visits recorded this as well. So, a faster heart rate the rest of my life?
I did not follow up with a cardiologist as I know all the expenses it will entail. The tests will determine that I have a “ normal” heart rate, right? I hate healthcare- no one ties things together or really cares about outcomes.

I did submit my experience to the FDA, as it needed to be documented. I will never forget how it made me feel- I felt so hyper-everything, with my heart beating loudly in my ears- not resting- unable to calm down… awful on top of trying to heal and do physical therapy. It made my heart race horribly on the stationary bicycle. The other symptoms disappeared with time.

Best wishes to you. Make sure it is documented that you cannot take steroid injections. Take your pulse daily, same time, in mornings and document.