Going to have a steroid injection in my hip for the first time - is it very painful? Should I take painkillers before the appointment?

[WhatIsItLikeIWonder]

Hi,

I’d be really interested to hear about anyone’s experience of having a steroid injection. I’m having one in my hip tomorrow morning for the first time and wonder if I should take painkillers myself beforehand? Do they use local anaesthetic too or perhaps it isn’t bad enough to warrant that?

Thanks. Am reeling a bit from a recent diagnosis of osteoarthritis.

Not hips but had steroid injections done in my facet joints in both sides of L4,5 and 6 done once a year for 3 years (sedated and with x-ray guidance). My Trust won't do any more after that because of risks of long term effects and getting less effective over time. So then moved on to nerve ablation which can be done repeatedly when the nerves have grown back.

I'm surprised they didn't warn you the pain could flare up at first? I had warnings plus it was in the leaflets I was given beforehand and for aftercare. It's normal to feel pain afterwards and have a flare, if I remember correctly I was told it could last 6-8 weeks but by then you should start to feel the benefits of the steroids. They definitely helped my pain and inflammation from the osteoarthritis for around 9 months the first couple of times, then it got less to more like 6 months and then I had the nerve ablation which lasts about 18 months.

The first few weeks after the steroid injections were the worst with the irritation, pain flare etc,

Interesting, thanks - I was told the flare ups would be a few days, so it’s good to hear your experience. Gives me a bit of hope! Glad they worked for you for that period.