Degenerative osteoarthritis in my knee

[Springminded]

I was just diagnosed with this a few days ago as been in so much pain and I'm getting a cortisone injection in my knee next week. What is this like please as I don't like injections at the best of times.

Oh they are brilliant! I don't find them particularly painful and they help enormously. I've had two so far, all I will advise is that you don't leave too long between them.

I will tell you that the syringe looks enormous, but don't freak out. It's no worse than having a blood test.

Following! I can't straighten my knees at the moment, having some tests / scans done - but not sure steroid would help this issue where I can't straighten knees ... this causes back and ligament / muscle problems ... I use crutches outside of the house / offices

Don’t do anything much for a good 24 hours after the injection - this is very important. Even though you’ll be pain free, you need to let the steroids stay in the joint area, if you work the joint loads you will sort of flush it out, so to speak, into your bloodstream.

Stupid GP forgot to tell me that the first time.

Use your pain free time to build up your leg muscles to take some of the strain off the joint in future. Start with water based exercise and build up.

I’m sorry you have this, it’s painful and it can be hard to live with.