Steriod injections are they safe or not ?
 

This has nothing to do with Neuropathy, but i know there are some very smart people here that i really do take notice of.
My question is about having steriod injections in the hip, i am waiting to be called up for a total hip replacement, i have had 2 steriod injections in the last 6 months, but at the moment its given me shear hell, at times i can't hardly walk even with a walking stick, if i bend down my hip sorta locks up and i can't move for an hour or so, i have been hanging onto a steriod injection script that one of the ortho surgeons give me last November, and said we will do you early next year, no excact date as i am not insured but he said try not to use it if you can, but if you have to have it done, do it again, i asked if there was any side affects or risks taken these steriods, he said no, but i have read on the net that the femur bone can actually die and it can weakings the surrounding muscel and tissue.
I know that i am not down for an op in Feb as i have rang the pre op department, the ortho thats been looking after me is not there because he is on holidays now, so i really don't know what to do for the best, any advise is very welcome.
thanks

Rule of Thumb
 

Brian,
I did some research and found this: http://www.eorthopod.com/eorthopodV2...563f47f/area/8

I do know that as a result of high steriod usage, I've suffered stress fractures. Do you know what your bone density looks like? Do you have osteoporosis?

I really am not sure. Maybe Glenn or Mrs. D will have some advice.

Billye

Hi Brian
 

A bit scary isn't it? I have had steroid injections in the past right in my spine due to the DDD and herniated discs. I have not had any problems with the actual injections. The only thing that I worried about is in the event of further injury,would I be able to feel it.

But what you read about the femur bone is a bit worrisome,and I just can't offer advice on that. I would say don't get the injection until your mind is at ease about it.

Hopefully some of the other guys will chime in soon.

Wishing you the best:)

Hi Billye and thanks for your reply and that reference website, it goes along with what i have read so far myself.
I don't know anything about bone density, but going by the hip xrays i have severe osteoarthritis, no cartlidge left and lots of bone spurs [osteophites] that your own body creates when it knows there is some thing wrong, it tries to grow more bone to compensate, but really just makes it worse causing the hip to sorta lockup when you bend over.
thanks again,
Brian :)

Hi ya my matey from up North, my brother has a very bad lower back and he has only had 2 steriod injections in about 15 years as he was told you can't shouldn't have any more than 3 in a life time, so he's been suffering it out over the time, recently been helped with magnets i put on him.
I have 8 powerfull magnets on my hip right now thats the only thing thats getting me through the day, i normally don't winge even when the PN was given me a hard time but this is a really getting to me, even turning me crumpy, which isn't the real me.
I have just heard that my ortho will be back tommorow, so thank god i will have a few words with him then
thanks for your help.
Brian :)

Relief!
 

Thanks for letting us know about the doc coming back tomorrow. I've been worrying about this all afternoon. Just hate to know any of my buddies are hurting more. Hope he's able to help you. If you could..would you ask him about this problem. The steriods and the bones etc. I'd appreciate knowing what you find out.

Billye

Billye you are a true & real buddy and you have such a big kind heart but please , don't go worrying about me its no good for your PN, i will be ok , especially now i can speak to the orthopedic surgeon.
I will get back to you with what he says about the steriod affects on our bones.
thanks
Brian :)

do they do...
 

resurfacing of the joint, over where you are?

There was this article here on our Health News forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ad.php?t=12254

Perhaps you will find it interesting?

Continued steroid injections into the same location, are problematic.
It used to be two/12 mos was the recommended maximum.

Yes Mrs D, they do the Birmingham hip resurfacing here, its still a total hip replacement but the only diferance is they preserve more of the femur bone head, actually one of the orthopedic surgeons i seen at the hospital did mention that, but after a few ortho's had a bit of a conferance about it, they decided it wouldn't be appropiate in my case, for fear of a very possible bone fracture as i am a big bloke [not fat] and there's a lot of pressure on that bone and through past experience they have fractured on heavy people, then they said i would have to go through the whole operation again to fix it.
They said they have had a lot of success long term with Total Hip replacements using metal on metal [ stainless steel acetabulam with a stainless steel protheses], but thanks for the good suggestion anyway. :)

Brian I can't believe how long you are waiting for that hip surgery. If that's what happens with a single payor system, I'm withdrawing my support for it.

I think if steroids help you, and there is an end in sight with surgery, that you ought to let yourself go with it. You can ask the orthopod or whoever does the injection what and how much he injects, if that's a concern.

I had 3 epidurals before my spinal surgery, and they really got me through that awful waiting period. I had a facet injection in December, which helped tremendously, but now I'm waivering over getting another.

I know the facet block was "generous", and he injected two facets and a joint space, which could have been a lot of steroid. And I want to stay away from steroids to maximize my chance of healing, as it seems I have not fused at all.

But if the injection could hold you over til the surgery, and the doctors aren't worried about it, I think it's a good practical choice. Let's say, worst case scenario, you became a bit more bone thinned because of it? You could deal with that after the surgery is done and past with the osteoporosis meds. They do help rebuild.

It's hard to know what to do when one is in great pain, and I have a lot of sympathy with being practical about getting out of pain.

You've been waiting just so so long.