Hip pain and steroid injection

Posted by sue225 @sue225, Dec 18, 2021

Anyone had a steroid injection (ultrasound guided) for arthritic hip pain? Injection also being used partially as diagnostic tool to determine if hip is the source of the problem? Did the injection offer pain relief and if so, for how long? Not ready (not good time) for hip replacement surgery.

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Yes Sue, I had steroid injections in my hip before replacement. Initially it helped for a few months. The 3rd injection only helped for 3 weeks. then I knew it was time to have surgery. This was the same thing I experienced with other arthritic joints like my thumb and wrist.

Over the past 20 years of patching and replacing, I have concluded that the "good time" for surgery is when alternatives don't provide enough relief to live productively - it's always inconvenient. Also, waiting too long can result in further damage that makes surgery and recovery more complicated.

How long have you been dealing with the pain?
Sue

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Had an injection for hip pain; it did not help, so after a few months, I had hip replacement. Definitely worth a try, if it will give you some relief for awhile. Took me a long time to get over hip pain after surgery; I had it in early June '21 and it still hurts sometimes. Much better than it was, however.

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Yes, I had ultrasound guided injections for several years until I was "ready" for my hip replacement. They "helped" with the pain and movement for approximately 3 months each time. By "helped", I don't mean they took away all the pain, just made it more manageable.

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@bbeebe1943

Had an injection for hip pain; it did not help, so after a few months, I had hip replacement. Definitely worth a try, if it will give you some relief for awhile. Took me a long time to get over hip pain after surgery; I had it in early June '21 and it still hurts sometimes. Much better than it was, however.

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Initially reluctant to have ultrasound Guided steroid injection but will now do it. Also being used as a diagnostic tool as well. In Canada, you wait months even for this procedure and wait times for surgery are even longer due to Covid-19 straining our publicly funded health care system.
Thanks for sharing.

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@sueinmn

Yes Sue, I had steroid injections in my hip before replacement. Initially it helped for a few months. The 3rd injection only helped for 3 weeks. then I knew it was time to have surgery. This was the same thing I experienced with other arthritic joints like my thumb and wrist.

Over the past 20 years of patching and replacing, I have concluded that the "good time" for surgery is when alternatives don't provide enough relief to live productively - it's always inconvenient. Also, waiting too long can result in further damage that makes surgery and recovery more complicated.

How long have you been dealing with the pain?
Sue

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Probably longer than I realize. What I thought was knee pain because I do have knee arthritis, is actually referred pain from hip. I also have lots of degenerative disc problems. So over a # of years but now right hip is pretty bad.
Hope steroid injection will help. ( Also have osteoporosis in hip & spine). In Canada, when it comes to surgery and treatment, the wait is always too long.

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I have had multiple steroid injections with x-ray guidance, hip and spine. Sometimes they have been more effective than others. First, I'm not a MD, but My guess is since there are allot of nerves going every which way and I think sometimes they get the right ones and have the right diagnosis other times it's a miss.

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@betterway

I have had multiple steroid injections with x-ray guidance, hip and spine. Sometimes they have been more effective than others. First, I'm not a MD, but My guess is since there are allot of nerves going every which way and I think sometimes they get the right ones and have the right diagnosis other times it's a miss.

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I think there are also differing levels of skill when it comes to giving steroid injections, guided or not. This is true in medicine as in all walks of life.

Over the years, I have had some injections that worked, and I hardly knew I had them, others that hurt like heck and didn't work. My favorite ortho surgeon is an absolute wizard when it comes to getting it right. He has injected my hips, knee, foot, shoulders and hands. The previous hand surgeon in his practice sent me to him for a thumb injection because he said "Dr Jay is better at this than I am - I even send my own Mom to him."

Recently I had echocardiograms by 2 techs in the same room with the same machine, 2 weeks apart. 2 weeks ago, the tech did a stellar job of getting all the images while answering all my questions and allowing me to watch her work. The one yesterday told me to "lie still and be quiet" then grumbled through the whole procedure and left me with sore ribs - and the cardiologist with a poor image. Grrr!

So when I find someone good at what they do, I am really thankful - and I tell them so.
Sue

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I just had my 2nd steroid hip injection 4 days ago. The injection site was in my thigh about 2 inches below the groin. The injection took about 30 seconds. The first was much higher up and more to the side. The injection took several minutes. Has anyone else had this injection site used? The first one took my referred knee pain away. I feel no relief this time yet. I'm nervous this was not placed properly. This was the first time using this surgeon's office. Thank you in advance for any responses.

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I have had several steroid hip injections and they have always been given close to the groin area, In fact, I always request the same radiologist because he is so adept at getting the injection at just the right spot. I am sure you know that it can take up to a week for the medication to start working. Best of luck.

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@frances007

I have had several steroid hip injections and they have always been given close to the groin area, In fact, I always request the same radiologist because he is so adept at getting the injection at just the right spot. I am sure you know that it can take up to a week for the medication to start working. Best of luck.

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Thank you Frances. Not any improvement so I guess I just have to wait for replacement now.

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