I have SFN (currently idiopathic) with sensory & autonomic symptoms. I have an upcoming orthopedic appointment for hip pain which I assume is arthritis or bursitis and am wondering what to do if the dr. recommends a cortisone injection. I'm fearful of the injection making my PN worse because injections can cause or exacerbate reflex sympathetic dystrophy and I fear it might be similar. One possibly saving grace is that my sensory symptoms occur 90% in my right foot & leg vs. the left, but the hip pain is on the left side, so the injection would be there. Does anyone have any advice? Thank you.

Have you talked to the doctor about the concern? Do you have another doctor like neurologist you could call and ask? I have RSD and PN so don't do any type of injections but did pre dx. I did not find them helpful and things like blocks made me worse because they stirred up my nerves rather then settled them. I have a question often with these injections if you get relief it is short term I thought? So then you have to get more?

Sometimes a cortisone shot can bring relief for 6 months to even years. Sometimes no relief at all. You never know. My mom gets them and they really help her but do not bother her PN and thankfully they really work so she doesn't need them but once a year or two.

FWIW, I've had a couple of cortisone injections for bursitis (shoulder) in the years since manifesting of PN. Worked really well on the bursitis; no effect either way on my PN (a non-event).

Doc

Thanks for the input. I've just recently acquired a good neurologist and will check with her, but it sounds like it shouldn't be a concern. Thank you!!