To take a shot or not?? | Arthritis Information

 

Its over 2 years that my foot is bothering me.  I had plantar fascitis and now achilles tendonitis. The bony part behind the leg is very painful.  rheumy said if nothing works she will give me the cortisone shot.  Should I take it?  and for what ? plantar or achilles tendonitis.  will it work? and for how long?

Cortisone shot helps tendonitis. And if you have RA in your feet that you just can not see it will help that some also. It just depends on the cause how long it will help. Maybe several months. At least one month under the worst of circumstance I would say. If you are taking something for RA it will give you relief until the meds start working. I don't have either of those problems....and I've never had one near my foot; but I've had more cortisone injections than I can remember in my shoulders, knees hips and one in my but that's supposed to help all over. There awesome and I would highly recommend them. I imagine you're having a horrible time getting around. Sure can't hurt to try it. K~It might hurt.....but only for a few seconds and then you'll be thanking yourself the next day if not hours later. Veenu, I am sorry that you are having so much trouble. I know what it feels like. My achillies tendon flared up last July and I suffered with it till just the last couple weeks. I wore a boot on it all kinds of meds, and it just hurt so bad. I finally got a shot right in the achillies area and it didn't seem to help finally went to orthapedic Dr. and he sai he could see all the inflamation but he said my Rhuemy needed to get my RA flare under control, which he didn't like being called on anyways I have now started Remicade. I don't know it stopped hurting so bad about the same time just as quick as it started it stopped. The area is still quite sore to touch with pressure but you know it is nothing like it was. I could not walk on it stand nothing to touch it there was always a big heated red lump right in the back of heel, that sweeled up like crazy. I think that the shot did help with the inflamation it took awhile for the full effect but if you ask me it helped. The 1st couple days it was great then it started hurting again but then as time went by like I said it just stopped. I don't know if it moved to my hand cause my middle finger is now swollen and stiffened up. Dang this desease. Well it is worth a shot... I wish he had done it quicker because I really suffered. He did it with ultra sound and guided the needle right into the middle of it... yes it hurt but nothing like the pain I was feeling with it. Good luck! I know some have said not to get shots in that area cause it can rupture and I think that is why he waited so long but I am glad I did it. Your Dr. and you are the only ones who can make that call. Keep me posted. Lauratake it.  Veenu, talk with an orthopedic doctor about injecting the Achilles tendon.  My RD and orthopod wouldn't consider injecting mine.  There can be severe complications and we made a group decision no injection but they did adjust my medications and eventually the Achilles tendonitis disappeared on it's own.  One of the side effects from an injection to the Achilles is complete tear of the Achilles.  It can be severe, requires surgery and a long healing time.  I'm not trying to scare you but I do want you to investigate this further and be cognizant of the complications.  Do some internet research at some reputable sites.  You may just need an adjustment to your meds.  LindyVeenu, take a look at this site and there are many others that make the same statements about injecting the Achilles. Veenu, I just had numerous injections in my foot and ankle.  My podiatrist did a nerve block in my ankle so he could inject in the ball of my foot.  That worked pretty well actually, as the block is not bad at all.  I did not feel anything in the ball of the foot after that. 

I will say, he had attempted to just give me the shot without the block at first.  That was painful to me and I let him know!  No problem, got the block.  Every one is different and pain is subjective, so I can only speak for me.

I had the shots on Mon., and I am tender still today, but the pain I was having before the shot  is just about gone.  I go back in three weeks and I intend to get my other foot done!
While I've never had one in my foot, I've had some in other places -- the relief was almost immediate -- especially the one in my hip for bursitis -- had been giving me problems for years -- went undiagnosed as "part of my back problems" -- but finally got sent to a doc who knew what he was dealing with -- and presto - magic -- I can sleep on my left side again! I would highly recommend trying. I agree with LinB about the injection and possible rupture. I was willing to take that chance because nothing else was working. That is just what you will need to consider. I read all the data and talked to others on this board before making my decision. I feel like it worked good for me. I was in such bad shape that I had to give up my job and filed for my disabilty because I just thought it was never going to get better. The pain of it all in unbelievable as some of you know. It is a hard decision and only you and your Dr. knows best. I don't thin injections of cortizones are good for any part of our bodies and the meds we take are the same but you do what you got to do to get by.. Let us know what happens? LauraThink about it.I think that's what she's doing, Jan. The info from LinB seems to mean caution. [QUOTE=LinB]  I'm not trying to scare you but I do want you to investigate this further and be cognizant of the complications. [/QUOTE]

Yet more of those decisions, decisions, decision, and hope that the right path is taken.

Veenu, have you tried splinting? Many physicians recommend RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation for Achilles tendonitis. The length of treatment can be three months with limited weight bearing...use crutches.

As Lindy points out, often the condition spontaneous resolves with long-term palliative care.

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