Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Post Steroid Injection - Please Help

Anyone ever have any problems for weeks after a corticosteroid injection? I had one into my ankle joint (top outside of foot) on Oct 2nd. It swelled up right away, pretty spectacularly, and the docs I work with said that is not uncommon, go home, ice, elevate. I did. The swelling went down. But now the pain is worse than before, and it hurts at the injection site. If I walk around at all (mind you, this is not real walking, this is hobbling around with either a cane or a cast boot), it hurts badly and swells at that spot. I sit, I elevate, I ice.

Steroid flares are supposed to only last up to 48 hours. I don't think it's an infection, because there's no redness. Could it be an infection, even without redness? I also don't think a nerve was damaged, because there's no numbness or anything - it's definitely mechanical.

I see my primary doc tomorrow, and he'll look at it. My rheumatologist is away at that arthritis conference, but I left a message with his assistant.

Anyone ever get worse after injection? Please, no anti-steroid commentary, I already know the risks/problems with them. I just need to know if anyone else has experienced this, and what it might possibly be.

Thanks,
Moll

They did a injection in my Hip in August. My pain is increased since then. I haven't been able to get into the Rheummy. I will see him on the 11th. I have told his nurse. I know its not infected. I took the chance to help with the Hip pain and it didn't work. I am not angry or upset because I seen it work wonders on my husbands knee before his replacement I know it works for most people. See your Dr. and see what he says. Maybe after the trauma of the injection itself goes away you will feel better. Is there a chance that somehow it got bruised inside and that is what the pain is from? Just a theory. Good luck hope you feel better.

Moll-
Sounds like an allergic reaction...

I have had one injection, and I had immediate pain relief. I'm so sorry to hear you didn't have the same results.

Hang in there hon!
Pam

Hi Patty,

Thanks - I will talk to him and find out. I do have a subtalar bone spur - maybe this is causing it? Will try to figure it out. Sorry your hip is worse. Feel better.
~Moll

Molly,
I had a cortisone shot at the base of my big toe. The pain was primarily at the end of the foot bone, where it connects with the toe bone on the bottom of the foot. The doctor injected on top, between my first and second toe. That spot had not hurt before the injection, but it did hurt for 2-3 weeks after. It felt like the needle used for the injection had injured the tissue there and it took a while to heal.

Could the needle itself have messed up the soft tissue there? That's just one more hypothesis to consider.

Karen

Wow, Molly, that is a real bummer, to say the least. I know exactly what you went through with the initial bad reaction, as the very first steroid injection I ever had back when I was 17 "went bad" like that and caused horrible swelling and pain. Because I had no idea that I had a chronic disease at that time (thought I had damaged the ankle on a canoe trip), I had not been to doctors for anything except check-ups, so having any kind of shot was scary and I had to be talked into it. Needless to say, when my foot ballooned up within an hour of getting the shot and hit me with excuciating pain, I was both scared and angry, scared that something had gone horribly wrong and I was going to lose my foot, angry that my doctor had seemingly turned a minor problem into a huge one.

For the next 24 hours, I did what you did--elevated the foot and iced it. I remember that, at the time, it was the worst pain I had ever felt and I literally cried like a baby for a good chunk of that 24 hours. Luckily, the pain and swelling did fade away the next day. I can't say that I have ever heard of the kind of reaction you are having, and I can't imagine how badly that must hurt. You are definitely doing the right thing by getting into whichever doctor can see you first. My first instinct was that the needle had hit a nerve during the injection, but you say you don't think that is what happened.

I hope others have some experience with this and can give you advice--hate to see you hurting so much. Try to stay off it as much as you can, and good luck trying to find some answers. Feel better, Molly,

Brad

Hi Karen, that sounds very plausible. will ask him. Thanks! ~M

Hi Brad - thanks. Yes, it is pretty much a bummer. I'm very down right now. Not being able to walk will do that to a person. The ultram my primary doc prescribed really isn't helping much. I am looking forward to having my rheumatoid factor re-checked and getting this inflammation under control.

~M

Hi Pam,

Thanks! Yeah, I was thinking allergic, but I've had injections before without complication. So...it's a mystery. I'll see my doc tomorrow.

~Moll

Molly,

I am sorry, I have had several in the area you are talking about and have gotten nothing but relief.

I would call your Dr. right away and let them know.

I hope you get to feeling better.

Hugs,

Lisa