Stocking Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 So I've had a severe case of tennis elbow going on three months. I've tried physical therapy, icing, and anti inflammatory drugs to no avail. So today I got a cortisone injection. My specialist doctor was all about it, surprised that I hadn't received one yet. What should I expect? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 I had one in my ankle just a couple weeks ago. The injection hurt like an SOB, had some inflammation after, and some soreness. By the next day though, the inflammation was mostly gone, and the pain that I'd had was 95% gone with it. It worked like a charm. A couple weeks later, and my ankle is still 95% back to normal. Great stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptatc Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 QUOTE (Stocking @ Jul 28, 2009 -> 10:27 PM) So I've had a severe case of tennis elbow going on three months. I've tried physical therapy, icing, and anti inflammatory drugs to no avail. So today I got a cortisone injection. My specialist doctor was all about it, surprised that I hadn't received one yet. What should I expect? Cortisone is an extremely powerful anti-inflammatory corticosteroid. It will decrease the inflammation in the area. If your lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is being caused by inflammation, you should see a drastic improvement within 48 hours. It may very sore for a day or two as the other poster said. If it caused by other etiologies, it may come back within one to two weeks or not improve. Sometimes the injection acts as a diagnostic tool that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 QUOTE (ptatc @ Jul 29, 2009 -> 07:56 AM) Cortisone is an extremely powerful anti-inflammatory corticosteroid. It will decrease the inflammation in the area. If your lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is being caused by inflammation, you should see a drastic improvement within 48 hours. It may very sore for a day or two as the other poster said. If it caused by other etiologies, it may come back within one to two weeks or not improve. Sometimes the injection acts as a diagnostic tool that way. In my case, the pain was multi-pronged, but the primary cause is a piece of bone in my foot that had apparently splintered off when I broke it years ago (Doc said something 'nuvicular bone" or the like, not sure what that is), and it slowly made its way back to the open area just interior from the achilles tendon, where it is apparently wreaking havoc. If the pain comes back bad again after 3-6 months, he said they need to remove it. I also have flat feet and some other issues, but the cortisone seems to have addressed nearly everything in one injection. Pretty amazing stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptatc Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jul 29, 2009 -> 08:13 AM) In my case, the pain was multi-pronged, but the primary cause is a piece of bone in my foot that had apparently splintered off when I broke it years ago (Doc said something 'nuvicular bone" or the like, not sure what that is), and it slowly made its way back to the open area just interior from the achilles tendon, where it is apparently wreaking havoc. If the pain comes back bad again after 3-6 months, he said they need to remove it. I also have flat feet and some other issues, but the cortisone seems to have addressed nearly everything in one injection. Pretty amazing stuff. That's called an accessory navicular. There is that extra portion of bone and can interfere with the achilles tendon. I've seen it in a few dancers. Sometimes the surgery is necessary but not always. Good Luck, it's always best to avoid surgery whenever possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco72 Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 QUOTE (ptatc @ Jul 29, 2009 -> 10:28 AM) That's called an accessory navicular. There is that extra portion of bone and can interfere with the achilles tendon. I've seen it in a few dancers. Sometimes the surgery is necessary but not always. Good Luck, it's always best to avoid surgery whenever possible. Makes you wonder about NSS72's night job... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 QUOTE (Disco72 @ Jul 29, 2009 -> 11:27 AM) Makes you wonder about NSS72's night job... LOL, I'm 6'3", 245, with minimal coordination and I'm slow as molasses. NSS dancing = epic disaster. I think the injury was a break while playing basketball in college. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stocking Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 Already feels great. How long should I wait till I start to exercise my elbow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptatc Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 QUOTE (Stocking @ Jul 29, 2009 -> 06:24 PM) Already feels great. How long should I wait till I start to exercise my elbow? You want to do cross friction massage, perpendicular to the muscle fibers for a couple of days. The PT probably did this earlier. I would wait 1 week before you begin light work with it. Make sure to stretch before and after as the mechanics of moving the muscle fibers will improve with the increased length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 I was diagnosed with arthritis in my lower back about a month ago and they recommended I get some kind of shot to relieve it. Show doesn't last forever and I figured if I did a lot of stretching and other things, it wouldn't bother me. The past few days it has been acting up and leaning towards getting the stupid shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptatc Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 QUOTE (Brian @ Jul 29, 2009 -> 09:59 PM) I was diagnosed with arthritis in my lower back about a month ago and they recommended I get some kind of shot to relieve it. Show doesn't last forever and I figured if I did a lot of stretching and other things, it wouldn't bother me. The past few days it has been acting up and leaning towards getting the stupid shot. Very similar to the ones discussed earlier. However, some physicians will do a series of three injections that are not the typical cortisteriod we've discussed. Theinjections are referred to as epidurals due to the injection location in the coverings of the spinal cord. They are a good way to decrease pain but as you stated they aren't a cure. If you are in a great deal of pain they can be extremely helpful. The only side effect as long as they don't screw it up which is very rare, is an occasional headache. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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