My Knee, I've had a cortisone injection and still in pain

[audreyandaubrey]

I've had bad knee for about 3 months and it's got progressively worse to the point of me hobbling and limping around. I've had a cortisone injection from my GP last week and it's still painful, it doesn't feel much better. It seems most painful at the back and side of my knee.

What else can I do? I've tried paracetamol, hot and cold pads, knee supports, resting it, trying to walk through it.

My GP warned me off cortisone injections because it's notoriously difficult to hit exactly the right spot.
Diclofenic gel is useful when I have one joint bothering me (I have RA and OA).
Plus all the things you mention.

What sort of physio have you done OP? I have awful knee pain from the tendons becoming inflamed by my hypermobile patella.

Was your cortisone ultrasound guided?

Thanks @Boope @Ilovelowry the injection was just straight in without any ultrasound. I've some physio exercises the GP gave me but I've not seen a physiotherapist that might be the next thing

I would highly recommend finding a good physio or osteopath.

My knee pain is really easing off now I am doing the physio every day.

Also I've had cortisone injections into nerves between my toes privately in hospital and you need the ultrasound to workout where the needle should go.

What did the GP say? Bursitis/ arthritis/patella issues?

How long did the GP say it would start to work, I understand it is gradual improvement.

you're almost certainly talking about different types of injections, hence the difference in ultrasound use.

It's probably still too early to say whether the steroid injection is going to help - it takes a bit of time to have an effect.

Bob and Brad on YT are very helpful for knee pain support tips. Infra red knee pad and strong hemp cream helps.

I realise it might take time for the injection to work - it started to feel a bit better the evening after I had it done, so I'm wondering if it's some kind of residual pain or that my muscles and tendons are strained from the months of hobbling around

It's osteoarthritis apparently.

You certainly don’t need an US to do an injection within the knee - it’s an easily accessed joint.

there are a number of issues for which injections don’t work - tears within the shock absorbers (menisci) aren’t reliably improved for one.

did you have a twisting injury at all? Does the knee give way or feel like it is going to give way? Is the pain worse on squatting or going up or down stairs? Do you have any night time pain?

@LeroyJenkinssss I twisted my knee years ago going down a hill but didn't get any treatment for it. It is worse when I get up after sitting and when I try to sit down and going up and down stairs - it's not too bad at night

Give it a bit longer. You can get what is known as a steroid flare after an injection, meaning it can become more painful before it gets better.

@tipsyraven thank you I'll try to to be more patient

It's nearly a week since I had the cortisone injection and there's not much improvement- I'm still hobbling and in pain. Any ideas what I can do?

If it's definitely osteoarthritis there isn't a cure. It's pain management and potentially eventually joint replacement.
Physio might help as movement is good, as is strengthening the surrounding muscles.