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

Posted by cathymw @cathymw, Nov 6 10:18am

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)!!!