[Heidi]

The bone and joint specialist I have been seeing here in town suggested yesterday that I get a cortisone shot in my knee in an attempt to solve the pain and swelling I have. I've been doing some reading and I need to do more about it.

So tell me, who has had this treatment? Side effects?

I know is naturally found in the body, but I have read some articles that indicate it weakens the tendons.

 

[JRB]

I had them frequently early in my life when I played a lot of tennis. The only time I have trouble now is riding a single speed on really climby trails.

 

[Nate at RIT]

Had a friend get a shot into his ankle. From what I remember, it does weaken the tendons, but only temporarily. (This was also confirmed by my mom, who's a Physical Therapist). Takes swelling down a lot. You should be fine, as long as you take it easily for a while (ask your Dr. to recommend a time period). My friend got a shot, ran a marathon the next weekend, and really did a number on his ankle even though he was told to not run for a couple of weeks.

 

[Westy]

Doesn't cortizone just decrease swelling? Shouldn't you be trying to solve what is causing the swelling? Have you tried things like Celebrex, it did wonders for me when I smacked my knee up.

 

[Heidi]

Doesn't cortizone just decrease swelling? Shouldn't you be trying to solve what is causing the swelling? Have you tried things like Celebrex, it did wonders for me when I smacked my knee up.

Well, he diagnosed me with Bursitis (swollen inflamed bursas in my knee). He said this could solve it. Obviously if I quit riding that would solve it too.

 

[golgiaparatus]

I've had it... it will most likely help the pain. Usually hurts more for about a week after and then it gradually stops hurting and starts to feel normal. Just dont let it trick you into thinking you are healed. Also, hope you like big ass needles.

Edit: Ahh bursitis, that is what cortizone is best for. Mainly because its just inflamation and cortizone stops inflamation feally fast. Just remember to take a couple of days off after you get the shot.

 

[JRB]

Well, he diagnosed me with Bursitis (swollen inflamed bursas in my knee). He said this could solve it. Obviously if I quit riding that would solve it too.

Exact problem I had. If I mash on hills, it still hurts today. Spinning is a great help. I also took Glucosamine??, I think, when it would hurt. It helped my knees a little.

 

[bigginsis]

I've had it... it will most likely help the pain. Usually hurts more for about a week after and then it gradually stops hurting and starts to feel normal. Just dont let it trick you into thinking you are healed. Also, hope you like big ass needles.

i agree 100%. it will hurt like h-e-double hockey sticks when they inject it and then it will feel better. the bad thing about cortisone is that it tricks you into thinking you're ok when you are not. it's a quick fix with minor side effects as long as you take it easy until the inflammation goes down. i had an injection in my right hand for carpal tunnel and man i almost tore the wallpaper off the wall in the doc's office and i think i even called him a MF...

 

[reflux]

i had an injection in my right hand for carpal tunnel and man i almost tore the wallpaper off the wall in the doc's office and i think i even called him a MF...

hahaha, i could just imagine the picture...

 

[bigginsis]

hahaha, i could just imagine the picture...

well he never told me how much it would hurt. and it was a mix of cortisone and an anesthetic - injected directly onto the nerve and tendon involved in carpal tunnel - so it was cold, and it hurt and my hand was numb for hours. yeah i was mad - he could have at least given me a shot of southern comfort and something to bite down on.

 

[golgiaparatus]

i agree 100%. it will hurt like h-e-double hockey sticks when they inject it and then it will feel better. the bad thing about cortisone is that it tricks you into thinking you're ok when you are not. it's a quick fix with minor side effects as long as you take it easy until the inflammation goes down. i had an injection in my right hand for carpal tunnel and man i almost tore the wallpaper off the wall in the doc's office and i think i even called him a MF...

I've had 1 in each shoulder... apparently there was not enough clearance in my right shoulder to go in from the back... so they had to go in from the front which took a whole new needle... a 5"er. He totally maxed it out and while he had that thing burried in my shoulder I looked over and the nurses mouth was wide open like she was in shock (aparently most people have never seen a cortizome shot injected into the rear part of the shoulder, from the front) needle all the way into someone's shoulder. I was like, "gee thanks, your really helping me stay calm here".

 

[Westy]

I didn't have the cortisone shot but my doc had to drain the fluid from under my knee cap. He took out this huge needle but told me not to worry it wouldn't be that bad. When he asked me to lay down i said I'd rather sit up and watch. He then fessed up that this was going to suck and I should lay down in case I went into shock and fainted. And it sucked, he kept telling me to relax, I kept telling him how the hell am I supposed to relax when there is a big ass needle moving around under my knee cap.

 

[Leethal]

Yeah I had the same crazy long need experiences as you... Cortisone is only bad if you get the shots often.. the really need to be backed up with some physical therapy to fix the problem.. a lot of cyclist have knee problems because of leg strength imbalances and not just overuse...

 

[Heidi]

I'm not even sure if I can get them...Wonder if it's against UCI doping rules?

 

[genpowell71]

The Cortizone effects are a temporary fix to a long term problem. I have issues with the facia in my foot and "They" recommended the cortizone injections. The more I read about them on webmd.com the more I decided against it. Not to mention I've been told it hurts like a madman...

 

[dh girlie]

Also, hope you like big ass needles.

I second that...I had a cortisone shot in my pinky before they opted for surgery and the dr. wouldn't let me look at the needle. I saw it only after he did the shot...I'm surprised that thing didn't come out the other side of my finger...and it hurt like HELL.

 

[jamesjbigler]

Well, he diagnosed me with Bursitis (swollen inflamed bursas in my knee). He said this could solve it. Obviously if I quit riding that would solve it too.

My old boss puts pure clove honey in his coffee instead of sugar. He swears after 6 months the honey cured the bursitis in his shoulder. No idea how that would work.

 

[dh girlie]

I hear taking an air horn to a golf course helps with bursitis...(you had to have seen Jackass the movie...)

 

[Heidi]

The Cortizone effects are a temporary fix to a long term problem. I have issues with the facia in my foot and "They" recommended the cortizone injections. The more I read about them on webmd.com the more I decided against it. Not to mention I've been told it hurts like a madman...

I ain't afraid of the pain, but I have read some negative things about it.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Treatment with steroid injections
http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/paindrugs/a/cortisone.htm

 

[JoeRay]

If you're gonna get the shot think of this. My physio told me that anymore than two or three a year into the same joint is bad, very bad.

True, footballers and the like get them in their knees like every week. But then they get knee reconstructions, and have problems walking after the age of 45.

My old man had them in his shoulders regularly when he was younger (35 odd years ago) and playing football. Now can you say oesteoarthrhitis. His shoulders are completely stuffed. Combo of dislocations and multiple injections but, is an example of what can go wrong.

Use it as an aid to get better but then try and find the root cause and solve that.

 

[Silver]

Do they inject it directly into the bursa?

Ouch...

 

[jeremy155rr]

Also, hope you like big ass needles.

in my motocross racing days i bailed on a tabletop single combo landing on my knees with my ankles up my butt pretty much diagnosis:
1 broken kneecap (little pieces broke off)
1 sprained knee (the other one)
1 completely ruptured/exploded meniscus (knee cartilage from the broken one)
1 broken ankle
1 sprained ankle (the other one)

fix: lots of fluid drained from knee those are some big ass needles
1 knee surgery to remove broken bone bits and repair/remove meniscus
no more motorcycle

as for the shot i'd just get one then take the preventative measures that need to be taken and RICE it after use

 

[ummbikes]

Heidi-

Check your P.M.

.

 

[Heidi]

Thanks everyone. I'm gonna try 2 weeks with NO riding, (My personal hell), and then training starts for next season. If the problem continues, I will probably get the shot.