Could a cortisone injection help with a "bone on bone" hip?

[wriggra]

I am scheduled for a LBHR next Tuesday and a family member has been talking about how I should consider a cortisone injection instead of rushing into a BHR. I have spoke to my surgeon who said cortisone won't work for me but I was just wondering why? Is it because I am "bone on bone"?

I am convinced that surgery is the right answer. Just curious why cortisone isn't an option (and forgot to ask at the time!)
Grant

[Pat Walter]

Hi
The experienced surgeons know what treatments work and what don't.  Your hip must be very deteriorated. In that case, the steriod shot might not work.  Some people with less deteriorated hips get steriord shots and they don't work or only work for a short time.  A lot depends on the person and the hip.  You can only get usuallly 2 shots because the steroids will further deteriorate your hip joint.

In my opinon, I would listen to your surgeon since he/she has studied your x-rays.  Usually if you hip is not too bad, steriod shots are offered.  Must be in your case, it is too late.  You can't beat the experience that hip resurfacing surgeons have - usually better than relatives!

Again, I said not long ago, no surgeon will do a hip resurfacing unless a hip is deteriorated enough to be done.  They don't have to drum up business and do hips that are not ready for resurfacing.

Relax and believe in your surgeon and your decision. Family wants to help, but often don't understand resurfacing and deteriorating hips.

Pat

[Woodstock Hippy]

The Cortezone injections remove inflamation, that's all.  Once you abuse the joint, the inflamation and pain return.  I had cortezone injections in my hips for two years.  The first one in my right side lasted about 9 months but the hips kept deteriating.  The last ones in both sides lasted 3 days, because by then my right side was worn out and the left was getting there.  I've had cortezone in my back for herniated discs and it worked beautifully until I would enevitably tweak my back again and need another one.  The cortezone doesn't cure anything, it only temporarally removes the simptoms.

[John C]

For what its worth, I have heard more than one hip specialist say that cortisone injections into the hip joint often cause a more rapid deterioration of the joint, more than with any other part of the body.

[Dan L]

I have also had them and they do help, but only tempoarily.  I was told they do contribute to continued degeneration, as well as present a chance for infection each time you have them, my surgeon advised againt them for that reason.

I had bone on bone with bruising of the sockets, torn/worn labrum and advanced osteo arthritis when I had them, and in the worse hip they did not help much at all, in the better of the 2 I did get about 4 or more months of pain relief when I had them.

Hope it helps,

Dan

[David]

I got 2 shots of Cortisone and 1 of Euflexxa.  They all did little to nothing for me.

[midiowa]

The magic words are BONE ON BONE.

[midiowa]

cut myself off there, Grant , those last day jitters make all of us think about the what if's and maybe's bottom line is your bone on bone probably in pain, once its done you wont believe how better you feel and the surgery is no where near as bad as you thought. iam 6 weeks PO now and feel unbelievable like many others on this site. just keep asking all these hippies questions and they will help you tremendously like they have for me. Brad.

[Tin Soldier]

Cortizone reduced the pain significantly for a week for me.  However, ROM never changed and I wouldn't have expected it to.   I think cortizone as well as pain killers, reduced activity,... are the standard interim treatments on the path to surgery.  Maybe no one really mentioned because you have a surgeon that know's best, as in, simply replacing the joint.  there's a lot of surgeon's that still run with the idea that we should take pain killers and cortizone for 10 years and then decide to get a new joint.     

Good luck tomoroow.  I think you'll be happy to get this done and get back to life without pain.

[hipnhop]

I had a cortisone shot on a Monday and Tuesday I couldn't walk, It destroyed the little cartilage and tissue I had left. I can't in good faith recommend that shot to anyone.

[hernanu]

I remember you mentioned that in another thread, hip. I avoided them since in both MA and playing football, those were handed out a bit liberally when anything tweaked. Just my own phobia, I guess.

[mslendzion]

I had one last summer and it did not get rid of the sharp shooting pain but it did help with the dull pain for about 2 weeks.  It was the sharp pain that I needed help with.  I have heard they work for some but no luck for me.

[curt]

     I got bilateral steroid injections (they did them under a scope in the hospital to guide the needles).  I was cured for two whole days, then went back to not being able to walk...an expensive and not pleasant waste of pesos.   Don't bother.

Curt

[mslendzion]

I agree with Curt. The procedure is really unpleasant too.  There is a very large needle involved and the procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes. You have to stay really still. Not my cup of tea. Had to be held down.

[Dan L]

Curt makes a really good point, my injections were $8k (usd) and seemed far from "worth it".

Dam

[obxpelican]

You always have to remember, cortisone is a steroid, even taken high dose orally for long periods it can actually collapse your femoral neck.

Cortisone is short term relief for a long term problem with very questionable results.  It's also a very high markup item for doctors.

If it's getting that bad it's time for a new hip/knee/shoulder quite often.


Chuck

[Anniee]

I was bone-on-bone also in both hips when I went to see Dr. Gross.  My previous orthopedist had talked about cortisone injections, but I did not have any because I did not like the sound of having to go to a hospital to have it done under a scope, when the effect would be temporary. And I hate needles - especially great big ones.   Dr. Gross said they would not have helped me, so I assume once you are bone-on-bone they don't.  I was glad I did not put myself through that.  It sounds to me like you have made the right decision - to have the surgery for a permanent fix!  Good luck!