I had surgery on my foot 3 months ago and apparently the Dr. sewed up a nerve during the surgery and I’m having pain.
I tried anti-inflammatories, pain meds, physical therapy and now 2 weeks ago he gave me a cortisone shot. It felt great the first week and now it feels the same as it did before the shot.
I thought cortisone is supposed to work for months? Is it possible it only helped me for a week?
#1 by linnea13 on January 6, 2010 - 5:52 pm
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It really depends on the patient and the problem. For me coritsone shots actually caused more pain than they helped. On top of that cortisone shots often only helps with the symptoms. I had a similar problem when I had ankle surgery. The only thing that helped in the long run was massaging right on the area. Definately talk to your Dr. before you try this as you may need to heal more. It could also have pressure on it from scar tissue which the massage will help to break up. I warn you if you try this it could hurts like crazy when you press down on the area but it did help me long term.
#2 by Laura S on January 6, 2010 - 10:39 pm
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Good Question, I don’t think they are supposed to last for months. I know when I had knee problems I had to go about once a week to get the cortisone shots. I hope your foot feels better! Call your doctor and tell him its bothering you again. I’m sure they have a solution for you. Good Luck!!
{(((((((({kisses to your foot. I’m a momma, we have magical kisses..LOL}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
#3 by Spirit on January 7, 2010 - 1:48 am
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ah, same question i asked a hand surgeon specialist.
he told me it may not work or it may work for 3 months.
i know many people receive them on a monthly basis.
they r very bad for your heart so be careful. that is why i denied it along w/the fact it wouldn’t work in my situation.
#4 by ditzi_k on January 7, 2010 - 2:09 am
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it depends on the person, the amount and the location of the injection. mamaw gets them in her knees about every three months, and they’re usually good for about 2 1/2… but when she got one in her hip, it only lasted about a week and a half.
#5 by Sunny on January 7, 2010 - 4:12 am
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I have had it work for a week and sometimes for up to six weeks.
#6 by cigarkin on January 7, 2010 - 7:49 am
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It depends on the dosage, and also where the pain is and what it was for. The closer the shot is to your bloodstream, the shorter it will last. The blood is constantly circulating and cleansing itself, so if your pain is near a vein, it is possible it will wear off faster.
They generally last almost a month. Keep in mind that the injury is healing during that time, so when it wears off, it should naturally feel better. In some cases, however, it can last only a few days, all the way to several months.
#7 by PoPtArT on January 7, 2010 - 11:11 am
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2 to 3 wks i think,
#8 by Randy W on January 7, 2010 - 12:47 pm
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The fact of the matter is the Cortisone shots may work well for some and other not at all. The bad part is that they don’t reccomend more then 2 in a years time.
If you are still having severe pain then I would suggest that you have him either get another MRI and find the problem or do an Exploritory surgery and find what’s wrong.
You might also consider a nerve block, these tend to last allot longer (usually perminant) but depending on hwat nerve it is it might cause tohe loss of feeling in your foot.
You can also try some electro nerve therapy or a tens unit which uses electricity to reduce the pain. These units work real well and are portable smaller then a cd player and can be worn anytime.
The last thing is to find a pain specialist and see what they can do. they make lidocaine patches that will numb your painfull area and other medications that will stop the pain but may put you to sleep.
My reccomendation is to find the under lying cause and have it corrected.
#9 by chewyjen on January 7, 2010 - 2:06 pm
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I work at a podiatrist’s office and he frequently gives cortisone injections to patients. It usually takes 1-3 days for the full effect to kick in and the effectiveness and the period of relief varies from patient to patient. Some patients get relief for 2 months, some a week and some none at all. It is possible the injection only lasted for a week.
#10 by Anonymous on January 7, 2010 - 7:29 pm
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I had a cortisone shot in my shoulder that lasted close to 6 months, it has to be done exactly where the pain is to be truly effective.
#11 by Kim S on January 8, 2010 - 12:43 am
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my dad had a shot for his arm and now its 10 years later….
some people it last for only weeks and others it can last years