Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Shoulder Arthritis

Thanks Jim. RC tears are just nasty. I truly believe it's easier for a patient to get a shoulder replaced than an RC repaired.

I'm getting my shoulder replaced in three months. Fortunately my RC is intact (per MRI) and I can get an anatomical TSR. I decided to do it once the cortisone stopped working. That's also why I asked about injections.

All the best to you. Sounds like you are on the right track. (FWIW I work twice a week with a personal trainer. He knows my weak spots and so we work around them. A great trainer and a PR are invaluable.)

Joe

Might want to check if approved for the shoulder. I don’t believe they are approved for any other joint except the knees. For knees, I’m on my third round of injections. Combined with cushy shoes, no more running or impact sports, they have been wonderful. The doctor told me they are most effective in early phases of osteoarthritis. Not sure if a benefit to the progression of osteoarthritis, but my knees have not deteriorated since starting. (May be the combination of everything I’m doing.). Last thing I want to do, is lose weight. Each pound of weight is 4-7lbs of torque on the knees. Sorry for long response. Good luck to you.

I just got a partial knee replacement on the inside part of my left knee. I can't tell much about any improvement yet. I want to see what happens on the left knee before I have another operation on my right knee.

@heyjoe415 Interesting...I am dealing with tendinopathy, bursitis, arthritis and pain in my not-repaired shoulder, and am doing PT to try to strengthen it and hoping to avoid more surgery. Fortunately, there is only "wear" but no tears per the new MRI.
I asked my PT, whom I have trusted with many ortho and arthritis rounds of therapy, about hyaluronic acid (HA) or Plasma Rich Protein (PRP) for my shoulder. He said his patients in similar circumstances have had poor results with these, but some luck with SynVisc, a lubricant injection, which has mainly been used for knees until now.
We're giving PT 12 weeks, then if there is not enough progress, I will discuss the next step with my shoulder guy.
I wish these darn body parts would quit wearing out...today I did manage to mow our 1/3 acre without ending up in agony.

Hiya Sue,

You mowed 1/3rd of an acre? That's the same size as our current lot. When I was in my 30s and 40s I'd mow the lawn, then got lazy and hired a service.

Update on my shoulder - I'm getting it replaced in early August. I waited too long with my knees and hip. I know full well this gets worse, not better. I do use 5% lidocaine patches at night (via Rx) and they help. We have a cruise coming up in early November. That gives me enough time to get the tough rehab out of the way.

Thanks for the info on the injections. I have had both big-toe joints fused with plates and metal, both knees replaced, and one hip. I will only have one shoulder and one hip that are the same as they were at birth (well, you know what I mean, no metal).

I am grateful to modern medicine for the advancements in joint replacements. They are all kind of mind boggling to me. I have also been very fortunate to have great ortho surgeons. All young men and women in their 30s to early 40s with great med school and residency pedigrees. The advances have made it possible for us to live a life (relatively) free of joint pain.

(I know not everyone here has a great outcome. Please don't give up until you get the answers you deserve. And in some cases it just doesn't work as well as you'd want. My thoughts are with all of you, hoping you find a solution.)

Joe

Believe it or not, mowing is part of my shoulder PT! It was cool yesterday, so I managed it with just 3 short water breaks and finished in an hour. Slow! I used to be able to do it in 45 minutes. In the clinic, they had me pushing an eighty pound sled several hundred feet. Then he said "You can do this at home by pushing other things - shopping carts, mower..."

I am also doing PT cleaning off all the paint shelves in the basement and garage - carrying gallon paint cans out and putting them in boxes in my car to take to the hazardous waste disposal site next Saturday. So far, the oldest (open) can I found was dated 2002 - what are chances that's still good? A full can is 10# - the same weight as my kettle ball that I'm supposed to carry 500 feet with each arm 3 times a week.

Today, I am pulling all the boxes of paint spray cans, pesticides and automotive chemicals down to the floor. So far, I found 2 gallons of a pesticide banned in 2005 hidden in the locked cupboard for dangerous stuff. And a can of bearing grease with no lid that has been collecting random substances for probably a decade. What other treasures might I have?

Also pulling buckthorn, mulberry & ash seedlings. If I mind my form, do you think it is the same as pulling the 5 pound band? Thinking I might wash one window each day as part of my shoulder mobility exercise - instead of tracing circles on the wall?

I was advised to have shoulder replacement surgery (reversal) over 18 months ago, but since it doesn't sound like something to look forward to, I'll let my pain level dictate the timing.

Cortisone shots still provide some relief, and I'm checking out the PRP injections. From what I've read, the PRP is most effective when combined with hyaluronic acid (quotes I've gotten for PRP alone are $700 and $900 in central Florida).

I've tried OTC lidocaine roll-on, 4%, with some relief. The 5% lidocaine patches are much better but my insurance will not renew. I have found a 5% cream that helps a little more and that's about the best out there ("Hempvana" on Amazon). It absorbs fairly quickly and, because it's a cream, you're not confined to the usual rectangular shape of the patches.

Hope this helps.

I'm 4 weeks post TSR surgery - anatomical. I started on a CPM machine and started PT yesterday. All good so far and no more pain!

Have you ever experienced PRP injections? I found them very painful. What have you heard about any potential pain? sorry to bear that news,

Hi insickness,

I've never had more than a cortisone injection in my knees, hip, and shoulder. I have heard too many mixed reviews on PRP and stem cell injections and have stayed away.

And these shots are all just band aids, eh? I'll wager in most cases the joint in question needs to be replaced (knee, hip, shoulder).

The technology and methods for replacement are very advanced. Even so, some people are simply afraid of the surgery - or they're afraid of the rehab. Alas, the rehab exercises for the 6 to 8 weeks post-op are necessary for a good outcome.

The pain in my knees, hip, and shoulder stopped after replacement and rehab. I'm very happy with the outcomes.

Joe