Steroid injection in shoulder - any experiences?

[PunishmentRoundupWithJoon]

Have you had a steroid injection for shoulder issues (probably bursitis in my case) and if so what were the results?

Had a one in my shoulder yesterday and whilst it's definitely somewhat less painful, am wondering if this will continue to the point where it's almost normal again. Obviously, I'm aware that everyone is different and only time will tell, but in the meantime and curious about if others have had great relief from steroid injections or perhaps, if it made no difference at all?

Was thrilled when she first did it, it felt great - until she told me that was probably just the anaesthetic!

Possibly also interested in steroid injections for sciatica as a friend is considering her options!

I’ve had a few steroid injections to shoulders and elbow. I found the pain relief was pretty quick over a day or so. I was told that some people require more than one injection and it also depends on how accurate the doctor was in pinpointing the problem area. Hope you are pain free soon.

@Ginsmything - thanks, that's helpful to know. There's definitely more ease of movement and less discomfort generally, so if nothing else happens, it was worth it. I was told to not do anything, gym wise, with my arm/shoulder for two weeks but after that I can carry on as normal. That took me by surprise, thought I'd have to protect it from now on.

Good to know you were helped by the injections!

I've had two rounds of injections for shoulder bursitis. The first, in March, was good to allow the physiotherapy to be more managable. The second (May) didn't seem to have such a big impact at first but after about 6 weeks it allowed me to start swimming (breast stroke) again and the swimming has me back to near normal range of motion. I'm going to talk to the physio about the value of a third round (maximum the consultant will do anyway) as I'm now 10 weeks after the second and there is still a very small niggle. Tbh, I wouldn't notice it if I hadn't had a problem but I want to be sure I do everything I can to stop it recurring. Don't forget the steroids have an effect for 6-8 weeks so it's not just the improvement you have for the next few days. If you can see a physio for guidance on strengthening exercises it can be really helpful too. Hope you're on the mend soon.

I had one for a frozen shoulder. It freed it enough for me to do the exercises and got better over the next couple of weeks. Mine didn't hurt, but was limited movement.
I find swimming (breast stroke) helps if it starts to ache a bit, but that's now several years on.

Thanks for your replies, it's reassuring to hear the injections did help you all i various ways.After the initial slight improvement in movement/discomfort, today it feel almost back to it's previous state - can still feel a tendon twanging somewhere!

@Gubu - I have a follow up appointment in three weeks and she mentioned giving me exercises then. At the moment I'm just trying to stick to normal movements with the occasional gentle stretch to keep it moving. I was able to move my neck more yesterday and now it's back to it's usual stiff state. It's a learning curve, I guess.

Well, unfortunately the injection didn't really help much at all. Still in discomfort, possibly marginally less so but nothing that makes me think it's (whatever 'it' is) is on the mend. Disappointed.

Does anyone think it would be worthwhile to request an x ray or a scan on next appointment to try find out what the problem actually is?

I've had numerous steroid injections - in my knees, elbow and back. Slightly different as they're arthritis related so not a proper cure as such.

Some have been brilliant and lasted for years. On a couple of occasions, I've needed a second a couple of months' later, at which point it's settled down more or less permanently. I've had major surgery nine months ago and trying to persuade my surgeon to let me have one around my side buttock (hmmm, fun) which I may succeed in.

But there are downsides in terms of soft tissue damage so doctors can be reticent to let you have too many.

Didn’t work for me 😪

I had 5 on my shoulder which did absolutely nothing at all apart from one hour straight after from the anaesthetic in it. The were done under ultrasound so were in the right place. After each injection I put on about half a stone in weight over the following 10 days and I have never lost it. I ended up having surgery to sort it out. I will never have the jabs again.

Found them helpful, twice. Eventually had frozen shoulder surgery. Best thing ever. He said I should've been referred to him earlier, because as a diabetic physio was never going to solve it.

That's frustrating that it didn't work. Who assessed you for the injections? I had an mri then went to a shoulder specialist. The consultant who read the mri said I had a full thickness rotator cuff tendon tear, but the specialist reviewed the mri and my shoulder herself and said it was minor wear and tear in the tendon and the problem was actually bursitis. She then suggested (and administered) the injections.

@Gubu - it was a physio, she was the musculoskeletal person at the GP surgery. The last one I saw suggested it was an impingement and gave me exercises to do with a band, this one assessed me, had me do some movements, then said that if I wanted I could have an injection as I'd clearly been in pain for some time (true). She mentioned bursiits. She didn't push me but to be honest, I was so fed up with the pain I was willing to give anything a go.

After that it seemed a rush to get the injection paraphenalia and she had to call in a Dr to oversee the injection and I didn't get to ask again about what the actual problem might be as she was busy warning me to sit in the waiting room for 20 minutes in case of anaphylactic shock and if it becomes infected, go straight to A&E!

If you don't mind me asking, how did the bursitis manifest for you? Did the pain radiate down your upper arm? What movements in particular caused pain?

I had three in total for rotator cuff pain. First one lasted quite well for few weeks but subsequent ones didn't. Also had extensive physio too.

Had surgery four years ago and has been fine ever since.

Sorry, @PunishmentRoundupWithJoon ,I thought I had replied to you! My main issue was raising my arm above 90 degrees (eg closing the car boot or reaching for something in a high cupboard) and even moreso rotating it in that position, so eg, reaching behind me to grab my seat belt in the car or putting my arm in my coat sleeve second. I also found downward pressure hard, eg chopping carrots standing at the counterwas painful, but a little less so at the table. I also had to stop swimming as front crawl was painful. Any sort of jostle or jarring movement literally took my breath the pain was so intense. My pain started in my upper arm/deltoid and as it got worse, closer to frozen, moved into the shoulder joint. Luckily I started physio before it froze fully. The steriod injections have allowed me to work on strengthening the underlying muscles around my shoulder blade as they had atrophied from the lack of use and everything being misaligned in compensation - my pecs, bicep, traps, deltoids, supraspinatus, even intercostal muscles were all screwed by the time it started healing properly and all needed to be worked on to get my shoulder back into position!

Sorry, mine is probably a worst case scenario so I hope I'm not scaring you! If you can see the physio again I'd certainly recommend it both for suitable exercises and to see what they suggest for further treatment.

Thanks, @Gubu, that sounds fairly like my issue - raising my arm and reaching behind me. I am fearful of any jostling of anyone pulling my arm without being cautious (was concerned when the physio was testing my movement!) and god forbid if I get arrested and they put me in handcuffs - currently my worst nightmare! Not sure shrieking "I've got a bad shoulder!" would cut it...

Your post didn't scare me, it's always helpful to hear other people's experiences. I have the review appointment tomorrow so will see what the next step is. There's a marginal difference in the discomfort, which I guess is something but it's still there, day to day. I have started back at the gym and am working towards slightly heavier stuff and no major increase in pain so guess that's something.