Arthritis Support Group

I don't blame you for not wanting to go back...I would either! How about fixing those things that might be contributing and see if it helps? Wear shoes better suited for walking, try your supplements again, try heat, maybe try Aleve? If nothing helps after a couple of weeks, maybe see a Rheumatologist (take your Xray report with you)?

My Rheumatologist just gave me a Cortisone injection in my shoulder on 9/2, in his office, during a routine follow up visit. It's helped me a lot but that doesn't mean everyone should get one. A second opinion is definitely in order and Rheumatologists are Arthritis doctors.

Purplefinch,
Good gawd don't go back to that doctor. Sounds like he just wants to make money off you. First of all, arthritis is never an emergency and you don't 'need' a cortisone shot or a hip replacement until YOU feel you need something. As long as you are handling the pain, you don't have to do anything about it. Eventually, it will bother you enough to want to treat it, but it is up to YOU, not the doctors. Second, many orthos will do injections of the joints in their offices without radiology involved. Radiology can help them to guide the needle to exactly where they want it, but getting the needle into the joint isn't that damn hard that they really need that. I have had ankle and knee injected with cortisone and synvisc, never with radiology. I'm sure it would be prohibitively expensive to have it done with radiology guidance. And, lastly, having joint replacement surgery is the final option - after you have tried everything else and just cannot take it one more second. It is never something you have to do. It is major surgery and requires a long recovery. I have had one knee replaced. Its not a magic cure, but it certainly does help when the joint is so bad you can't walk on it without severe pain. I had to get mine done because I could no longer work on it. Anyway, find another ortho doc who isn't looking to line his pockets with your money. As imkaren said, try the other things - better footwear, take your glucosamine again, try some OTC painkillers and see if you can improve things at all. There is no rush. And its all up to you.

The cortisone shots can help a lot temporarily. They reduce the inflammation in the joint and give you usually at least several weeks of feeling better. Its just a temporary stop gap to get you through. It does not fix anything. More a pain control measure.

Vanyel

I have a rhuemy doc and he said I have bursitis in my hip now. He said he could give me a shot but it would only help on a short time basis. He hasnt mentioned surgery or anything severe. I am on lyrica for my fibromyalgia and he has me on ultram ( tramadol ) for pain. Its hard for me to walk sometimes and if I bend over sometimes it feels like my hip is going out. Dont know what to tell you except get another doctor. Either way its painful and dont know the end result of the pain I experience if it might be surgery or just have to live with it. I worry that one day I may have to have surgery but I hope not. I also have osteoarthritis and its in my neck and feet. Who knows how much surgery I will need in the end. Hope everything goes well for you but find you another doctor first..

What he said to you is absolutely ridiculous! I had a series of Cortisone shots and they are temporary.Why he would suggest to you surgery is nuts. He just wants a bigger house.
It is cheaper to try other things that could be beneficial to you.Stop wearing the sandals and wear a good pair of shoes and use shoe inserts that are good for hip and back pain, you can find them in drug stores or athletic shoe stores, etc. Use a heating pad on your hip or a cold pack, which ever works the best. Get a portable TENS UNIT they are miracle workers. If you can't afford a new mattress set get a pillow top mattress cover for extra cushion. If you sit at your computer a lot, use a bed pillow to sit on, it is also a wonderful thing. If you decide to get a new mattress set , think about a Sleep Number Bed, we got one and it is great, also tax deductible if you get your doctor to write a note saying it would be beneficial to you.

Thank you to all of you for your very sensible perspectives. I really appreciate them. I did get a 2nd opinion from an orthopedist right down the hall from him, who totally gave a 2nd opinion. (These guys should talk sometime!) The 2nd guy said he felt hip replacement should happen only when the pain was constant and "intractable," with severe pain when I am sitting, standing, walking, or trying to sleep. He felt that was not even an option right now based on my exam and what I said. He put me on an anti-inflammatory (not sure how long I should stay on, he just gave me 10 days' worth), said to take supplements, and continue with physical therapy.He said I could get the shot if I wanted but wasn't pushy about it (I'm not getting it, too expensive). I am also being VERY careful on my shoes. I am currently feeling better and hoping this will last. I am still annoyed at the first doctor though! What is wrong with these guys?

Whats wrong with that doctor is what is ruining this world,,,GREED!

I have had cortisone shots in my knee and hip. They last about 6 years, but they do warn not to have too many together. Also everytime I had one since I am post-menopausal they made me bleed. Of course, scared me the first time and thought Cancer, so when to the gyn. Turns out cortisone made me bleed and gave me an ovarian cyst Since had two shots, have bleed twice and two ovarian cyst, I get an ultrasound on them now, so far just simple cyst, which is normal

Anyway the orhopedic I went to about the pain in my hip and my knee, just gave me the shot in the knee and later one in the hip. They sprayed cold water on it first to freeze it so you couldnt feel the needle going in to your knee or hip. If he is a good ortho, he will make sure you havent had another one in the last year, there is a time laspe between having them.

I would google about it and read read read and educate yourself. Mayo clinic is a good site for good info.

wow its amaizing the doctors ay i may have to get those shots or segery for my back and i read diferent posting get educated because others went threw similar i am weighting to see a nerolagist and i have two bulging disk and two herniated disk in my back with ostio and the bulging disk are causeing my arms and neck to shake because they touche the nerve my lower back is basicly finished i cant do anything and i have so much pain but i read these post and i feel not so alone when others are going through similar situations

I dont know if you all are aware of this but cortisone shots will wear down the cartridge in your joints faster.
I got one in, one of my knees when I first had major discomfort. It hurt like heck, and was about 12 inches long. People do not realize how they have to insert then reinsert the needle to ensure the medication gets all around the joint. The good thing is it does help sometimes up to 6 months.
Later when I wanted another one, I was informed, by now 3 different doctors that to do many shots will cause your cartridge to break down faster and that really bothered me. Unless you have a time you are going to have surgery I suggest you check that out prior to doing more then one injection.

many say invinsc helps, it is made of chicken materials and cushions the joint. From what I understand it does not damage the cartridge like the cortisone,(steroid), and is a bit more natural product. I am unable to use it however because I am allergic to eggs. However, we have several friends who have and it has kept them working and going for a couple of years until they were ready for surgery.