Stupid Orthopedist

I work in an orthopedic office. Our doctor offers our patients a series of 3 injections done over the course of 3 weeks. He uses a product called orthovisc, (google it there are various other brands out there. You should talk to your doctor about whether or not those type of injections would be beneficial to you.

The problem is that bone on bone pain is often sharp enough that the usual doses of things like Vicodin cannot alleviate the pain... the same way it would not alleviate the pain if your slammed your toe into a large post... and sicne it has NO anti-inflammatory properties you get no releife on that fron, either.

I am a little surprised that the steroid injection did not last longer.  It is possible you may have been OVERactive after the injection, though, and aggravated it.  I get cortisone every 3-4 months (that's as often as my PCP and orthopedic surgeon will give them) and get Synvisc-1 injections in both knees every 6 months.  (The Synvisc-1 is a single injection (one in each knee) that replaces the series of three injections for original Synvisc and some of the other brands).  One injection is MUCH better than three!  I only get minimal help, though, on tmy worst knee... but it help the other one a LOT!  It takes 2-3 weeks to feel any relief from the Synvisc (or similar injections) -- teh down side, along with trhe expense -- but it lasts (for me) about 5 months, so the 6 months interval (as often as they can give it) is about right.

Physical therapy MAY help... it really depends on your individual anatomy and issues.  Heat actually makes my knees feel MUCH better than cold does.  The cold just makes it worse, whether it is cold weather or ice packs.

Lora

 my knees have shifted too. luckily for me it comes and goes. I also have problems with my hips. one hurts if i walk too much and the other hurts and gives out if i stand on it too much. diclofenac was the only thing that worked for that and I dont think we are allowed to take that now? so now I dont take any pain meds, even though I cant walk up the stairs to my bedroom very well.