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Knee injections long term?
Hello Everyone,
I'm returning to my exercise routine after an 8 month bout with gout and tendonitis and walked 2.5 miles last week and twice this week. Yesterday after my walk, I began experiencing pain again in my R knee. I'm hoping it subsides after a few days of taking it easy but would appreciate some perspective given my recent treatment:
4-6 weeks ago, I was given a steroid injection in my R knee (worn cartilage/arthritis) and it was successful in providing pain relief until now. My Dr told me we cold repeat the steroid injections but at some point, the gel injections that might be necessary. I wanted to learn more about the gel injections so I met with (another) Dr who specializes in knee injections/replacement to learn more and was told that I should stay with steroid injections as long as they work, then move to the gel. He indicated I could have more steroid injections (due to cost and what insurance would pay for) and only have the gel injections about once every 6 months. Ultimately, he seemed to indicate that total knee replacement was probable. I've read some of the posts on this site about knee replacements and the pain they cause and really want to avoid knee replacements if possible.
Has anyone had long-term relief from knee pain with injections (either steroid or the gel), or some other treatment to avoid knee replacement?
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.
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I too have had a long journey with knee problems... starting with arthroscopy surgery in my twenties (I am now 66). I have done multiple rounds of prolo therapy, PRP injections, autologous stem cell injections - all very expensive and the results did not last. The best things I have done are Arthrosamid and Whole Body Vibration. For the Arthrosamid, I flew to Canada last year. It was about $3000 USD, and it has worked incredibly well. My once weak knee is now my strong knee! Halleluiah! I can now do a one-legged squat, with my other foot resting on that knee, and then jump up and down with all my weight on the knee that crippled me for most of my life. I have also been doing Whole Body Vibration for 25 years and have found it to be incredibly helpful for all kinds of joint and nerve problems (I had many debilitating joint and nerve issues). Within days of starting Whole Body Vibration, I saw my pain and inflammation levels drop and other things like my immune system and my mood improved. It is important to use the right WBV machine for you though. There are many different kinds of machine and they are not all the same. It has very powerful effects on the whole body. For example, you don't want to use a machine designed for an Olympic athlete if you are older and have some health issues. With Arthrosamid, WBV, plus eating well and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training workouts which I've been able to take up since getting Arthrosamid), I feel fantastic! I am so much stronger and more active than I have ever been before. I am so grateful to finally be able to do the activities I love and enjoy.
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3 Reactions@beckychambers thanks. Had not heard of Arthrosamid. I looked it up and from Canadian and EU results, it looks very promising. I’m currently getting hyaluronic which have worked great, but only about six months. With delays in insurance approvals, it ends up being 7-8 months, which leaves a few month of acute pain.
@trimomlewis - You're welcome 🙂 Yea, arthrosamid is supposed to last "up to 5 years" - but that number 5 is only because that is how long the studies have been going on. They don't really know how long it might last! Could be much longer. The polyacrylamide gel they inject is a synthetic substance that our bodies do not break it down (unlike hyaluronic acid). It gets incorporated into our ligaments and other joint strengthening tissues giving them greater toughness and strength, and can last at least 5 years, maybe much longer.
Check out Whole body Vibration also - super helpful for all kinds of joint issues. Strengthens muscle, bone, and joints, and lowers pain and inflammation often dramatically and quickly, helping your body to heal from many health issues. I've been using WBV for 25 years and have written several books about it including, Whole Body Vibration: The Future of Good Health.