Steroid injection in ankle

Steroid injection in ankle

Author
Discussion

AI1601

Original Poster:

858 posts

95 months

Sunday 5th May
quotequote all
Anybody had one of these? Is it just a short term pain relief?

Sprained my ankle over 2 months ago and physio rehab hasn’t helped much. Been told a cortisone shot is something I should be considering.

popeyewhite

20,036 posts

121 months

Sunday 5th May
quotequote all
I had one in my hip. It worked.

craig1912

3,335 posts

113 months

Sunday 5th May
quotequote all
It’s not a cure but it can help with rehab. Saying that I had one in my knee for OA and it’s lasted 20 mths so far.
Just had two in shoulder (three mths apart) and hoping to avoid surgery but first wasn’t really that effective after six weeks

popeyewhite

20,036 posts

121 months

Sunday 5th May
quotequote all
craig1912 said:
It’s not a cure but it can help with rehab. Saying that I had one in my knee for OA and it’s lasted 20 mths so far.
Just had two in shoulder (three mths apart) and hoping to avoid surgery but first wasn’t really that effective after six weeks
The cortisone jabs seem to have less effect on shoulder injuries. Or maybe it's just more people have shoulder injuries... .

Rh14n

947 posts

109 months

Sunday 5th May
quotequote all
I badly sprained my ankle almost two years ago now.it’s probably not what you want to hear but It took around 18 months or more to fully heal. All along I was thinking it should only take a few weeks and I was very impatient. After around 6 months it was still really painful so visited my GP who initially prescribed some oral steroid tablets. They improved things temporarily for a couple of weeks but then the pain was back and I returned for a steroid injection straight into the joint. This certainly had a better and longer-lasting effect. A really nasty injury but pleased to report that by now it’s pretty much 100% better.

Edited by Rh14n on Monday 6th May 09:00

Wacky Racer

38,237 posts

248 months

Sunday 5th May
quotequote all
Waste of time in my experience;

Lucky if they last a few days;

(Hopefully others have a more positive experience)

AI1601

Original Poster:

858 posts

95 months

Sunday 5th May
quotequote all
Rh14n said:
I badly sprained my ankle almost two years ago now.it’s probably not what you want to hear but It took around 18 months or more to fully heal. All along I was thinking it should only take a few weeks and I was very inpatient. After around 6 months it was still really painful so visited my GP who initially prescribed some oral steroid tablets. They improved things temporarily for a couple of weeks but then the pain was back and I returned for a steroid injection straight into the joint. This certainly had a better and longer-lasting effect. A really nasty injury but pleased to report that by now it’s pretty much 100% better.
18 months?! Must have been a pretty bad sprain. Good to hear it’s healed now.
Did your GP give the injection or were you referred to a specialist?

mcelliott

8,706 posts

182 months

Sunday 5th May
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Had one in my hip last year, I have severe osteoarthritis in my left hip, was told I may not work at all or get up to six months of less pain, it really varys from person to person, for me I had about 8wks, in that time I felt amazing as in claiming Strava KOMS running up mountain trails in the alps and i don't even run I'm a cyclist at heart!

My Dr said if I did get the full 6 months he'd be willing to give another one, but 2 months improvement he couldn't justify, fairly certain numerous steroid injections can cause lasting damage to the cartilage.

Rh14n

947 posts

109 months

Sunday 5th May
quotequote all
AI1601 said:
Rh14n said:
I badly sprained my ankle almost two years ago now.it’s probably not what you want to hear but It took around 18 months or more to fully heal. All along I was thinking it should only take a few weeks and I was very inpatient. After around 6 months it was still really painful so visited my GP who initially prescribed some oral steroid tablets. They improved things temporarily for a couple of weeks but then the pain was back and I returned for a steroid injection straight into the joint. This certainly had a better and longer-lasting effect. A really nasty injury but pleased to report that by now it’s pretty much 100% better.
18 months?! Must have been a pretty bad sprain. Good to hear it’s healed now.
Did your GP give the injection or were you referred to a specialist?
My GP.

craig1912

3,335 posts

113 months

Sunday 5th May
quotequote all
mcelliott said:
My Dr said if I did get the full 6 months he'd be willing to give another one, but 2 months improvement he couldn't justify, fairly certain numerous steroid injections can cause lasting damage to the cartilage.
Can do if given too often. I’ve had two in four months for shoulder. Knee injection has so far lasted around twenty months.
For some people they are a god send but for others a waste of time.

juggsy

1,430 posts

131 months

Sunday 5th May
quotequote all
I’ve had a few over the years in my ankle (deformed joint and arthritis in the joint).

When you have it, it’s like a miracle cure, partly down to the local anaesthetic they use as it’s not a particularly comfortable procedure.

However, it’s temporary, I’ve had it last several months to only a couple before the problem pain returns. May be enough to get you through whatever recovery you’re going through though, depending on severity etc. But certainly effective short term in my experience

AI1601

Original Poster:

858 posts

95 months

Monday 6th May
quotequote all
Thanks all. Does seem a very uncomfortable procedure but no harm in giving it a try I guess.