Should my friend have cortisone injections for knee pain and fluid on the knee?

Photo: Healthy knees rely on strong, healthy muscles.

"Gary,

I did a search on cortisone injections and found a site where you had posted some info.  I have torn Meniscus in both knees and a little over a month I visited an orthopedic dr.   I had both knees drained and also had a cortisone injection is each knee.  I had very little relief for the two days following.  My aim was to get through my son’s wedding (which took place two weeks later) without pain or as little as possible.   Now I have noticed ‘lumps’ on both knees in and around the area of the injection.

Also, I have a friend who is considering a cortisone shot due to the same problem.  She is unsure whether to have this done due to the possibility of calcification occurring.  

Can you shed some light on this?"

____________________________

Gary:

Please have a good read of the articles I have written about cortisone injections and you will gather that there are serious longterm risks with this procedure.  I would not condone injecting a "chemical incision" agent into a delicate and complex structure like a knee joint; especially if it is showing all the signs of serious wear and tear.

If the menisci are torn, then they should probably be surgically repaired by careful trimming.  Make sure that you get the services of the best knee specialist you can locate.  Your knees are far too important to be used as practice for a part-timer or newby.  Go for experience.

Whether or not surgery is required, it is time to commence a programme of care for your knees.  Commence with at least three months of a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement, plus MSM and fish oil. The Joint FActors 4500 is a good choice but have a look at the ones with fish oil added, or else add a fish oil supplement.

Ensure your diet is rich in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and proteins.  Consider a daily Super Smoothie.  Complete the Active Elements Assessment to help me work out your mineral salts needs.  This website has hundreds of articles and E-Pubs about exercise and nutrition - make good use of them.

Even if you do not need to lose weight, commence a daily exercise programme of walking, aquajogging and using a Lymphacizer or Elliptical cross trainer (or equivalent).  Mix the exercise up.  For example; do a 20 minute walk every morning before a good breakfast, then do an alternative form of exercise later on in the day.  Be guided by the advice of your health professional.

Please let us know how you and your friend get on.

Your email address:


Powered by FeedBlitz

Do you have a question?
Email Gary: gary at myotec.co.nz (Replace the "at" with @ and remove spaces). Please include any relevant background information to your question.