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Cortisone injection in hip. Still in pain.

Posted by biker58 @biker58, May 28, 2023

I am in my 3rd year of hip pain. I was a healthy painfree man, when I went out for a snowshoe a few winters back. I came back 1 hour later with pain in y hip, that has never left. 4 different x-rays showed very good hip structure at that point. I was told the pain was refered from my back. Back manipulations did not help. I was then told it was due to tight muscles and tendons. Physical therapy did not help. About 1- 1.5 years later, I asked to have another x-ray taken of the hip. It showed a large amount of deterioration, and a hip replacement was recommended. I don't want to go that route. Also, I can't figure out how I could have severe pain at the outset, when the x-rays showed a perfect hip. The pain didn't change any as the hip apparently got worse.
So now it is Cortisone. After 3 days, I am in about the same pain I was in before the injection. Immediately after the injection, I was pain free. This lasted a few hours, and now thew pain is back. Is this normal? I am also interested in pursuing RFA for the hip. Any ideas?

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ladybenites | @ladybenites | May 31, 2023

Cortisone is just a steroid so it will only temporarily reduce symptoms. There are many types if “xrays” so to say your hip was perfectly good can be misleading if you did not have the proper one. Have you had a bone scan? MRI? Being overweight puts a lot if stress on bones and joint replacements are not uncommon. There is no way around a hip replacement if you need one. Hip replacements have advanced significantly and the recovery time is short and outcomes amazing.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 31, 2023
In reply to @rjjacobsen "Relating my experience here for what it's worth. Had cortisone shots in both shoulders. They are..." + (show)
@rjjacobsen

Relating my experience here for what it's worth.

Had cortisone shots in both shoulders. They are temporary and were variable in effect - doctor mentioned getting the cortisone in the proper location makes a difference. Fast forward several years and I had arthroscopic surgery on one shoulder to take out the arthritis and re-attach a torn labrum. Not quite a month since the surgery - still in a sling for another 5 weeks, but doing PT to stretch out the shoulder. Approx 3-6 months of PT remain after getting out of the sling. Note that the arthritis does grow back. Jury is out on my doing the other shoulder.

Both hips have arthritis, the left has a torn labrum. Treated with a cortisone injection which lasted ~ 90 days. Helped greatly. Not only painful to walk, but also painful to stand and sit. Probably will have another injection then a future hip replacement. It's hard to keep weight down when one can't walk for exercise - was doing 2.5 mile walks every other day. So the conundrum to solve is I need to walk to reduce my weight to reduce wear/tear/stress on the hips, but walking is how I get the weight down. Bike seats are also painful on the hips. Looking for a soft, level surface to walk - concrete is awful, bituminous slightly better, so I street walk.

Also, for me, pain relievers - including prescriptions with opioids aren't very helpful.

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Have you tried a recumbent bicycle for exercise? Many gyms have a stationary one you can try.
Another option is swimming or walking in water - a lot of support for the joints, but excellent cardio and fitness exercise. Do you have access to a lake orpool this summer?
Sue

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1 reply
rjjacobsen | @rjjacobsen | May 31, 2023
In reply to @sandpiper49 "Try walking on a trampoline. No impact." + (show)
@sandpiper49

Try walking on a trampoline. No impact.

Jump to this post

When I'm able to get dressed by myself, I plan to walk in a heated pool at a senior center 25 miles away. Buoyancy will help reduce the stress of my weight and the heated water is a plus.

Meanwhile I walk what/where I can.

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rjjacobsen | @rjjacobsen | May 31, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Have you tried a recumbent bicycle for exercise? Many gyms have a stationary one you can..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Have you tried a recumbent bicycle for exercise? Many gyms have a stationary one you can try.
Another option is swimming or walking in water - a lot of support for the joints, but excellent cardio and fitness exercise. Do you have access to a lake orpool this summer?
Sue

Jump to this post

See my earlier reply.

Currently not able to dress myself 2-3 weeks away, but I do plan to get to a heated pool at a nearby senior center when able to. They also have a recumbent bike there, so we'll give that a spin.

Thanks

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