I got a cortisone shot yesterday morning and my arm/shoulder hurt twice as bad today

[Jake LaMotta]

Yesterday morning I got a cortisone shot in my shoulder bursa due to still having some discomfort from RC tendonitis. My doc gave me a shot through the back of the shoulder in the subacromial space. Well the actual shot didn't hurt too bad but once the lidocaine wore off my arm absoloutly killed. My shot was taken Thurs at 10 am, it's now 9 pm Fri. and my arm still kills.

So I called my doc today and he told me there's a chance that he may have missed the subacromial space and the cortisone went down the arm thus explaining my pain. He said it should go away in about 4 days. He said "I assure you that I have seen people hurting from cortisone shots before for a week after. And I can also assure you that this isn't permanent because I guaruntee you I didn't hit any nerves because no nerves are where I injected. So I want you to give it 4 days and if it's still sore come in and see me."

Let me clarify to where the pain is, it DOES NOT hurt in the back of the shoulder where he injected. It hurts on the side of the shoulder and down the arm near the brachialis.

Did my doc permanently screw me up?

 

[DOGMA]

I doubt he screwed you up. Cortisone is a water suspension and yes it's painfull especialy in the shoulder. In my experience the pain will get better in another day or so.
Look at it this way he essentially injected sand into your shoulder.

 

[Jake LaMotta]

Is it possible he could have hit a nerve? My doctor said that's impossible because where he injected isn't near any nerves. Is he right or am I screwed?

DOGMA, have you ever gotten a cortisone shot in your shoulder and if you had did you ever experience pain like I have?

 

[bigtwig]

I've had cortizone in one shoulder twice and one elbow once. Each time for about 2-3 days I have even more pain than before, but each time it goes away and within a week to a week and a half the initial pain I went in for is gone as well. The pain was like you described, and although there was pain near the site of injection, there was also pain in other areas that there hadn't been before. Hope this helps.

bigtwig

 

[knight1811]

Same here. The pain was worse after the shot for a few days...and then all gone...EVERYTHING was great after that. Just ice and relax.

K

 

[Gunsmith]

I'd get a new doc bro ,I've had several shoulder shot for the Bursa and never had any trouible like you descrive , the process of trying to get the needle into the bursa wasen't plesant but he did it while using a Fluroscopy (sp) which is basicaly like a live X-ray he can see hwere the pin is going. He should be shooting your shoulder with Marcaine then going in with the Crotisone the MArcain will last alot longer than the lydocain.

I make sure that anytime I see a Dr he is related to sports medicine ro they all tell you the same thing "you need to stop lifting" and you want to punch the fuck out of them

I'm going in for an Elbow shot next week , I'v heard its actualy less painfull than a shoulder shot

 

[DOGMA]

Yes, I have had the shots more than a few times in both shoulders. High school and college and after. Just had one a few months ago in my neck. I am old and hurting all over!

Bro, I cant say that after a cort shot I have had the pain running down my arm like an oil shot between muscle tissue which I have had on a rare occurance with gear.

I have had extreme pain after cort shots where my whole arm hurt.
I would give it a couple of more day's. My main point is Cort does hurt dont think that its like a numbing agent, it will hurt for a few day's. Then it will start effecting your pain and inflammation and you will see some temporary relief. But if you continue to do what hurt your shoulder in the first place you will be come very accustomed to Cort.

 

[Jake LaMotta]

So based on what you guys are saying, what I'm going through is a perfectly normal to go through after a cortisone shot. Is that right? My doctor told me today in all his years of practicing medicine that he has never heard of someone getting a cortisone shot and being permanently sore for life. Is he right? Will I be OK? Tommorow it will be 3 days since the shot.

 

[DOGMA]

Damn Bro Chill! Where did sore for life come from????Yeah, I think its somewhat normal. Give it a couple of day's.

Bro, what dont you search cortisone and see what your own research say's. All of these reply's are anecdotal at best everyone can have a different reaction to the same drug.

 

[Jake LaMotta]

I'm sorry DOGMA, I didn't mean to sound ignorant it's just I'm very concerned with this.

 

[Jake LaMotta]

Anyone else have an experiece like mine?

 

[DOGMA]

No need to apologize bro... What's up with it today????

 

[Jake LaMotta]

I feel 100% better. I guess I was worried for nothing!

 

[DOGMA]

HeHe. I told you that stuff can hurt, Good to hear your better.

 

[thebrick]

That was strange. I had immediate relief after mine few years back. It felt all warm and painfree after the injection, like someone had shot a pint of Jack Black in there