Cortisone shot, instead???

[new yorker]

Hello all, I went to a differant doc today here in NY (Long Island). I just wanted a 9th opinion:hehe::hehe:. I have seen a few others and all have said I need the surgery. This doc took an x-ray and said it really is not as bad I think it is. Well I will need the surgery but he says I am still young (37) and should try and hold off on the surgery a little:sct:. He said he has done surgery on people even younger but they had more damage and pain. There is damage and pain with me to, but he said in my lifetime I will need one or even two more surgerys. He suggested a cortisone shot in both my hips to get rid of the pain and another down the road when needed. I could get by with the damage that was done on my hips but not the pain. Has anyone out there had this option:pzld::pzld:

 

[TBONE]

New Yorker--Just an opinion mind you, but if a doctor, even a 9th opinion doctor, said to me that the cortisone will work and I could delay major surgery, I would try it. Can it really do much harm? It may even work.

 

[TBONE]

I asked for a shot, and all the docs, when they stopped laughing, advised that cortisone would not address my problem.

 

[Jamie]

The problem I see with waiting is that the "damage" (and I'm assuming you are refering to changes in the hip joint bones), will not get better....it will get worse. In my opinion, that can make your hip replacement more challenging when you do get it done. To me, that (and the fact that you will be wasting good years of your life in some type of pain) would be reason to get it done now.

But that's just my opinion. In the end, you are the only one who can make this decision. I will tell you not to worry about the additional surgeries down the road. Things change....technology improves and who knows what will be available in the 15-20 or more years from now when you might need a revision?

 

[new yorker]

The problem I see with waiting is that the "damage" (and I'm assuming you are refering to changes in the hip joint bones), will not get better....it will get worse. In my opinion, that can make your hip replacement more challenging when you do get it done. To me, that (and the fact that you will be wasting good years of your life in some type of pain) would be reason to get it done now.

But that's just my opinion. In the end, you are the only one who can make this decision. I will tell you not to worry about the additional surgeries down the road. Things change....technology improves and who knows what will be available in the 15-20 or more years from now when you might need a revision?

I thought I was ready to go, Maybe set a date for the surgery and now this. I am back at square 1 with planning:sct::sct:

 

[Jamie]

That's the problem with "elective" surgery like joint replacement. If it was a medical emergency, you'd have no trouble saying...do it now! But elective procedures like this are sooooo....sooooo......ELECTIVE!!! YOU have to decide when you're ready to do it. So....read some of the posts, take some time to reflect on how you're feeling and hopefully the answer will be come more clear.

 

[new yorker]

That's the problem with "elective" surgery like joint replacement. If it was a medical emergency, you'd have no trouble saying...do it now! But elective procedures like this are sooooo....sooooo......ELECTIVE!!! YOU have to decide when you're ready to do it. So....read some of the posts, take some time to reflect on how you're feeling and hopefully the answer will be come more clear.

My body I think is 100% ready because of the pain, but I can still move around pretty good. mobility is not really the problem right now in my case. My mind is or was 70 - 80% ready to get this done,,,,,,,,untill todays doc visit. I am just not sure if cortisone is the way to go. It might rid me of the pain but I limp alot almost all the time and it might not be just from the pain......

 

[Jamie]

Limping is not good either....it tends to make other body parts suffer and it makes rehab that much more difficult.

So you're saying you limp and you have pain. I'm having a difficult time understanding what you mean by your mobility being no problem....

Please understand that I'm NOT trying to talk you into surgery. I just want you to be able to sort through things correctly and make a decision that you are happy with.

 

[new yorker]

Limping is not good either....it tends to make other body parts suffer and it makes rehab that much more difficult.

So you're saying you limp and you have pain. I'm having a difficult time understanding what you mean by your mobility being no problem....

Please understand that I'm NOT trying to talk you into surgery. I just want you to be able to sort through things correctly and make a decision that you are happy with.

By mobility not being much of a problem I mean that I still go to work everyday, climb ladders, walk on roof etc... I am constantly on the go. But I am in pain at the same time and tend to limp while I am doing this. I limp more on the weekends and after work when it all catches up to me.:sct::sct:

 

[JudyS]

I had low grade pain for at least 15 years and lack of ROM. Things got a little more painful and my spine surgeon sent me for a cortisone injecion. The first one felt weird, but things were ok. i did not notice much of a differenc. A few months later when I complained again he sent me for another one. OK that one was so painful and I could not walk withoout a major limp. I hung arounlkedd the hospital and talked to the dr that did the procedure. After about an hour or so it was a little better, so i left. It never did any good and after the pain of the injectib on I said never again. That is when i was sent to a hip surgeon. He did not think i needed a replacement from my MRI. He went in a hip scope as it looked like there might be a tear in there. No tear, but severe arthritis on both weight bearing surfaces.
I opted for the replacement after tryinsg to heal from the scope and microfracture.
I have never been happier. It is an awesome surgery.
judy

 

[Josephine]

I was very leery of waiting on my knee because I had seen my sister suffer pain storms on both knees and her hip through waiting too long. It's a bit of a conundrum - don't wait too long but don't rush into it either! Only you can say.

 

[Texas]

hey New Yorker ..........you could try the shot i agree, but then if you dont feel it what kind of damage are you doing are you doing more.............Im 42 with a TKR that is young for that but im glad i did it i did the shots the whole 9 yards..........but it is your decision..........i wish you the best in whatever you decide............please let us know.......)

 

[shugaplum]

I was given the advice to ignore the xray and listen to your body. My xrays show dysplasia as severe in my left as my right...but for some reason only my right was a problem. I'll need the left replaced eventually too but if I based it solely off the diagnostics like the xray I would have already replaced a hip that doesn't bother me.

Go with what your body is telling you. You have nothing to lose by trying the cortisone. How drastically is the pain effecting your quality of life? I had two cortisone shots which bought me approximately 2 months. But some people swear by them and say they bought them years.
about asking one of the other 8 doctors their opinion on the shot?

Also-as a side note on being young for the surgery. Don't use that as an excuse to sit around in pain missing out on those years...I'm 26 and I wake up grateful everyday that I won't be in pain that day. I'm glad that I tried the cortisone. I would never have known otherwise. The relief from them is great but it all depends on how long they last.

 

[Josephine]

Spot on there, shuga! Spot on.

 

[TBONE]

Having read other posts, my opinion is still the same. However, I should also add that, while I never had a cortisone shot, I waited too long to have my hips replaced and that has resulted in flexibility problems and muscle atrophy. As a result of that, I have had and continue to have long term physical therapy. In hindsight, I should have had my hips replaced at least 5 years earlier than I did. For me, it was a refusal to address and acknowledge the problem. So I agree, it is a bit of a conundrum and in the end, you must decide what is best for you. But since you are young, and as I assumed you had not had a shot, I suggested and suggest giving it a shot--so to speak!

 

[SheriALS]

I had a cortisone shot while I was waiting for my pre-existing condition period to pass. My hip was too far gone to avoid the surgery at this time. The shot helped me very well for about 1 month and then after it ended I continued to rapidly deteriorate.
As some others have stated I have had this condition for many years and it was tolerable for most of them. I learned how to adjust my body to cope with the pain but...this last year has been awful and I would not wish it on anyone. Try the cortisone...what can it hurt? but...if you find yourself struggling on a daily basis then I would encourage you to seriously consider having the surgery.
I just had surgery Tuesday, came home Wed (anterior approach) and feel so much improved already. Obviously, I am still severly handicapped, sleeping a lot, resting and allowing the wound to heal but I already can imagine how much better things are going to be.
Bless you,
Sheri

 

[new yorker]

Thank you to all that replied, this one looks like it goes both ways. I am still confused and undecided, I dont know what to do. Like I said earlyer it feels like I am starting at square one. I guess it cannot hurt to try the shot out first, I will know if it is working in a few days. Thank you all again for your responce. :cnsl:

 

[Debbs1027]

I would go for the surgery. It's routine, with many of the os's nowadays. And let me tell you i have had pain in my hip forever, after my revison i could tell the difference, only achey. It is totally worth the 6 weeks on crutches! And then you can compare scars!!!!

 

[JudyS]

Go for the shot I think they expect it to work instantly because they always asked me immediatly if it was better.
I had one in my left knee once. it was immediate , but only lasted one week!!!
judy

 

[Troweltalk]

If you haven't gotten a cortisone shot yet, you should definately try it. It might buy you months or even years of relief before you feel you need surgery. I have a herniated disk and I had two shots to reduce the inflammation. The first lasted about a year, the second is going on five now with no pain.

I tried the cortisone route when my hip went baqd, and only got 3 months of relief the first time then just one month the second time before the pain returned.

As you read the hundreds of threads on the subject of "when should I have surgery" you will find a pattern; no one can tell you when except you.

Is the pain distrupting your sleep?

Is the condition of the hip such that you cannot do what you need or want to do?

How much longer do you think you can take pain meds before they begin to take their toll on your body or you get addicted?

Answer these questions for yourself and you'll know if it's time or not yet.