Cortisone injection for tennis elbow??

[mckenzie]

I've had the pain in my elbow since June and think it was caused not by tennis but by starting to play golf.
I haven't played any tennis or golf since and for the last 6 weeks I've been having weekly phsyiotherapy including massage, ultrasound and acupuncture.
There had been a little Improvement but not much so for the last 3 weeks I've had the treatment as usual but also stopped using my right hand/arm for anything. (Apart from cleaning my teeth! I just can't do that left handed .)

I've seen no improvement so now I'm thinking of having the cortisone injection that the GP offered.
Any thoughts please wise Mumsnetters?

Bump please

I had a cortisone injection for a similar injury in my wrist about 5 years ago. It hurt a bit, and was sore for the rest of the day, but has not hurt since.

I have them regularly due to arthritis. They are quite strong steroids so be aware of the side effects of steroids and how they work for you. They make me go slightly loopy, flare up skin issues and make me very hungry. The injections are effective though, especially in larger joints. Try and not to move your elbow too much afterwards so that the steroid can properly work it's magic.

Yes had it in my knee and it helped speed recovery well

Thanks very much for the replies. Does a gp have to do it do you know or can a nurse?

I've had various steroid injections again for arthritis and I'm lucky enough to not get any side effects except a slightly sore injection site for an hour or so. I only get side effects with long term oral steroids.
They give me great relief and allow my joints a pause in the inflammation which seems to allow my body to reset IYKWIM.

Huge sympathies OP

I am watching this with interest as I have a tennis elbow problem too. I've had acupuncture, sports massage and ultrasound too and it is not right. At times it is really, really painful (wakes me up at night). I am thinking of having a cortisone injection too.

It can work for some people, be curative or long lasting. For others not a jot of difference (sorry!).

Usually a doctor gives it, although some physios are trained to do it. I don't know any nurses who've undergone training as they won't do enough to maintain skills.

Watch out for what's called a 'steroid flare' - in the first few days pain can get (a lot) worse before getting better.

I had a cortisone injection for a wrist problem (De Quervains tenosynovitis), after months of nothing else (physio/anti inflamms etc.) touching the pain.

It worked, and I haven't had a problem since (it was about 3 years ago).
It hurt more for about two days after the injection then got better.
I had it done by a doctor at my surgery who was a specialist in orthopedics.

I was offered a local anaesthetic before the injection - I didn't take up the offer - and the injection was painful but bearable - it takes a little while for them to administer it slowly, but a bit of deep breathing and it's entirely doable.

I should say that I know people forwhom cortisone injections haven't worked, but I'm glad that I decided to go ahead with mine.

Thanks for the extra replies.
Chottie, shall we do it together? ??
I'm really getting fed with not being able to do so much. I've missed a whole summer of tennis, golf is now written off until next year at the earliest, but I'm missing Pilates, holding a cup of coffee, writing properly, press ups and so much more.
I'm going to book it next week. Shame a nurse can't do it as our surgery nurse is fabulous with a needle whereas my GP can be quite heavy handed. ??

I'm nervous as I have heard of mixed results too. I know of one person who had a good result and someone else who had 3 injections and then ended up having surgery. One of the doctors at my surgery does injections of this sort, so I could go and talk to him.

I had the same condition Kurri who has described the treatment, process and recovery very well.