Hip arthritis - cortisone/local anaesthetic injection

[WibbleyPie]

Hello,

I've been diagnosed with arthritis in my right hip recently, it's quite painful and movement is restricted and it does 'give way' at times, with a lot of pain for a few moments.
I had back pain too and have had x-rays and scans on my lower back and also have arthritis in my lower spine. The pain and stiffness in my back has improved with doing stretches and exercise however not the hip and I'm having an injection of cortisone and local anaesthetic into my hip in January.
I've read the information etc - but would feel better if I could hear from someone who's got experience having it done, what it's like at the time and if there's much improvement afterwards and for how long in personal experience.
I have a job on my feet for 8 hours (longer at this time of year!) so it's really starting to impact me, I can just about manage at work but I'm finding it difficult to do much after a shift and on my days off, so I'm as rested and pain free as possible to enable me to work - but I'm a bit concerned about the injection itself, I do have anxiety and depression and I think I'd just feel better if someone could/would talk me through what it's like!

Thank you!

I was offered this, I was suffering much as you. Progressed to only be able to get up the stairs at night on my hands and knees. I also have arthritis in my lower back. I asked for a second opinion which resulted in both hips being replaced. I really hope it helps you but for me the only thing that would have helped is the hip replacement, and I cannot tell you the difference it’s made to my life. Pain free, mobile, happy!

My DM had cortisone injections a couple of times in both hips , like you and @Iwouldratherbemuckingout she had arthritis in her hips spine and knees
( congenital hip dysplasia so I have it to look forward to as well )
The injections themselves unfortunately are quite painful, although hers were done about 20+ yrs ago so hopefully things have improved.
They made a big difference, it didn't turn her into a spring lamb but she could get about with walking sticks ( previous in a wheelchair about 70% of the time when outside)
She has her hips replaced when she was about 53 .

i found the injections incredibly painful - I wasn’t prepared for it at all. I was also told that some people have an odd reaction to the injections and in the first 48 hours, it can make the pain much much worse. This happened to me and I honestly felt like I was dying the pain was so hideous - I didn’t sleep the entire time the pain was so bad.

But once the hideous pain wore off, I’ve been pain free since then and not needed another.

I am not sure I would do it again though!

I had one in a bone on bone hip that needed replacing and it did nothing but turned out I needed a replacement.
had one in my mildly arthritic hip and it made a big difference for about a year. Now asking for another one!!

Thank you all, I'm not particularly squeamish about the injection but obviously it's already a painful area and I'm concerned about pain afterwards and in the following days too, I'm hoping it does give some relief - I'm looking at a hip replacement in the next 10 years (46 at the moment) as they did say these injections do stop being effective over time if they work, but they don't want to do one while I'm so young because they only last so long.
@Iwouldratherbemuckingout your username made me 'prick my ears'! I rode horses from early childhood and can't ride any more because of the pain and lack of movement in my hip - I have put it down to a history of arthritis (maternal GM was riddled) and riding for years, I do like the big solid, wide horses! Took it for granted 😔 I've got arthritis in my hands and knees as well, but my hips seem to be much more painful, especially the right.

I have had many steroid injections into one hip and lots into my hands.

None of the injections have hurt - far less painful than a trip to the dentist.

They are normally initially used as a diagnostic tool to help work out if the pain is hip related or coming from your back or knees.

I found that the hip injection solves my bad back and knee pain as when I have the injection I can put more weight on my leg and don't twist my back as I walk.

You are meant to rest after the injection so it may be preferable to have a day off after it if you can do that?

You may want to talk to the surgeon about how many you can have - it is normally limited to 2-3 per year but some are reluctant to do more than one as they increase infection risks if you are going on to have surgery.

The other issue is that the injections become less effective as time goes on - mine used to last a few months but now don't work for more than a month.