Steroid shot in the hip for arthritis: Edited with Update!

[happybird]

Last edited Sat Nov 2, 2024, 03:37 AM - Edit history (2)

I’m scheduled for my first one on Nov.1 and am getting nervous. Why? Because I googled it.


Was simply wondering how long the pain relief from the injection would last and saw all sorts of scary search suggestions like “Why did it hurt so much?” and how the joint pain often gets worse for a couple days before it kicks in, and stuff about how doctors don’t like the shots because they can damage cartilage in the joint. Ugh.

I’m sick and tired of living with the pain so was looking forward to getting the shot. Now I’m nervous. Please talk me down, but be honest. What was your experience like?

11/2/24:
I got the injection yesterday afternoon. It was part 24-hour numbing and part steroid. Depending on which works (numbing for nerve, steroid for arthritis which should kick in after a couple days) they’ll know which issue is causing the pain. Or if it’s both.

Happy to say it’s working! It’s amazing being (mostly) pain free! I hadn’t realized how many protective movements I had been making, how many common situations I was bracing for, expecting pain– getting out of the car, doing dishes, going down stairs, and a bunch of other movements. I keep catching myself stiffening up and grimacing out of habit, and only notice I’ve done it when no pain happens. Amazing!

Mom was my driver and moral support, and she commented as we were leaving the hospital that she could tell my walking was already different. No limp from kinda scuffing my right foot on the ground with each step. It was confusing at first because I still had soreness. My buttcheek and my shin. Thought the numbing wasn’t working. Then realized that was actually muscle soreness. Some gentle stretches fixed it right up. I’ve been moving so strangely to accommodate my hip that I think muscles have been sore and I just never noticed it over the hip pain.

So far so good! And super grateful to have been woken up at 3am by Fifi and not by my hip (laying down has been a big, painful issue for months). Yay!