I have been having pain problems with the tendons in my left hand, particularly the middle fingers. I had a battery of tests done to see if it was arthritis or carpal tunnel or what ever. All tests came back negative so the docs put me on some anti-inflammatories starting with celebrex and leading up to prednisone. None of these helped the pain either.
So, yesterday I got my first cortison (sp.) shot. If I had known that it was like getting hit with a sledge hammer I would have never gotten the damn thing.
Question is…do any of you know how long the pain and stiffness will last from this shot? I have heard one or two days is the norm but just wanted to get your opinions. I really want to get back into the gym ASAP and right now, it is feeling like I will never get there…
Though I typically see people with neck or low back injections it usually takes 24 hrs. to resolve the pain. The hand has more nerve endings
and it will feel full.
24 hours should do it.
Dr.Tim
Both my middle fingers are susceptible to trigger finger (especially my left). The first cortisone shots for my left finger were injected on either side between the knuckle and first joint. I disobeyed doctor’s orders and still lifted with that hand a few hours afterwards. The swelling from the shots disappeared within 24 hours and a week later so did my trigger finger. This shot was good for about 1 year befire the tendon became inflamed again.
The second shot was injected into the palm of my left hand about 3/4" below the base of the finger where the tendon was inflamed. The nurse stuck the needle in and had to “dig around” in a circular motion until she found the inflamed tendon nodule. I didn’t notice any swelling in my hand and still lifted that night. It took another week after the injection before the trigger finger/tendon inflammation disappeared again.
My final option is to have the tendon sheath cut so the inflamed nodule doesn’t get hung up in the sheath. It’s supposed to be a simple procedure with a high success rate. It’s a last resort for me since I know someone who’s had it done and it didn’t work.
Thanx for the feedback all. I tried to ride my motorcycle last Saturday and since it was my left hand (clutch side), I had to make it a quick trip cause it was still a bit sore.
Sunday, I tried doing some deadlifts and all was OK, still a bit tender, but nothing I couldn’t push through.
I must say that I hope I never have to get one again. At least next time, I’ll be a little more prepared !
[quote]QTIP88 wrote:
Thanx for the feedback all. I tried to ride my motorcycle last Saturday and since it was my left hand (clutch side), I had to make it a quick trip cause it was still a bit sore.
Sunday, I tried doing some deadlifts and all was OK, still a bit tender, but nothing I couldn’t push through.
I must say that I hope I never have to get one again. At least next time, I’ll be a little more prepared ![/quote]
I had a shoulder injection a couple of years ago. It took quite a while to settle down. And to tell you the truth the results weren’t impressive. I had a minor improvement for month or so and then the aching came back. I worked around it but it was still there. It took a good old fashioned physiotherist who humiliated me and corrected my technique with my remedial exercises to get it sorted. I would be dubious about using Cortizol injections again.
[quote]pel wrote:
I had a shoulder injection a couple of years ago. It took quite a while to settle down. And to tell you the truth the results weren’t impressive. I had a minor improvement for month or so and then the aching came back. I worked around it but it was still there. It took a good old fashioned physiotherist who humiliated me and corrected my technique with my remedial exercises to get it sorted. I would be dubious about using Cortizol injections again.[/quote]
I agree with you pel. It has been almost a week since my injection and I am still in more pain than before I got the shot. I am able to train…it is just that annoying ache that drives you nuts…