Do cortisone shots really cure tendonitis?

[fmv60691]

I currently have 2 tendonitis in my hands / fingers. One of them has got three cortisone shots already and the other one is geting its first shot right away.

Both tendonitis seem to be on a very early stage since they don't even show up in the MRI's, but I could't get rid of them with my phisiotherapist. I put the bike away (MX is what caused them) for a month but it was even worse when I got on it again

The point of my doc is that cortisone shots will make the inflammation dissapear causing more blood flow and letting my tendon fix faser. Does this statement sound reasonable?

Of course pain is gone after each cortisone shot.

Thanks in advance

[llamaface]

I think part of the idea is to reduce the swelling, which will help keep the tendon from gettin re-irritated while it heals. Once you have some swelling in a tendon, it tends to get worse fast because it rubs on more stuff if you keep using it.

It would be good to figure out what caused the tendonitis in the first place and fix that issue for the long-term. Sometimes it's just overuse, sometimes it's an ergonomic factor (too much video game playing? lol).

[DRZCatastrophe]

cortisone shots are a quick fix. They are NOT a long term solution to an inflammation problem.

Most people are unwilling to do long term therapy for stuff like this. Ice, exercise and rest.

I used to have really bad issues with the tendon that runs along pinky side of the wrist. It was an overuse, bad form, bad diet issue.

Exercise with a dumbbell did WONDERS long term. Hurt like hell for the first few months and I had be dedicated about icing it 2 to 3xs a day. Long term however, it's never been better. I only have to be sure to use a wrist brace for certain things, (since it's my throttle wrist, dirt bike definitely, snowboarding since it's gonna get a LOT of impact, water skiing, 'cause well, that's a LOT of dragging? ) But the day to day PAIN is GONE. It took quite a while, but you have to be patient. Most people prefer the instant fix.

[DrMark]

The most recent evidence shows that cortisone is a poor treatment for most tendonitis cases.

[William1]

Part of the problem with a shot is it makes you feel like the problem has gone away. So you unknowingly end up doing activities/movements that would of aggravated it thereby slowing down the healing or even making it worse. I have had terrible cases of tendentious. I got the shot and was extremely careful (for nearly a year) to not do anything with the arm. Made the Missus carry the luggage (she'll never over pack again)!

[deeman]

http://www.amazon.com/Mindbody-Prescription-Healing-Body-Pain/dp/0446675156/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235091572&sr=8-3

PLEASE try this book. I did and it worked for my never ending tennis elbow.

You will not regret it. It not only will fix this problem but MANY other issues.

Good luck!!

[DRZCatastrophe]

http://www.amazon.com/Mindbody-Prescription-Healing-Body-Pain/dp/0446675156/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235091572&sr=8-3

PLEASE try this book. I did and it worked for my never ending tennis elbow.

You will not regret it. It not only will fix this problem but MANY other issues.

Good luck!!

Hmmm, so I guess my horse's bowed tendon was ACTUALLY caused by her RAGE against ME and not at all a jumping injury from the pounding those legs take repeatedly. Interesting.

Sorry, I'm glad this worked for you, and stress does do a LOT of damage and cause tightness and pain. To say that ALL pain is in your head, I'll be sure to tell my good friend who just had surgery to fix her blown disk that if only she let go of her rage, the disk would have been JUST fine.

Maybe exercise would help us to let go of stress, oxygenate stressed muscles, let go of rage and help stretch out cramped stressed out areas. Hey, I think they already recommend that....hmmmmmm.

[DrMark]

The latest medical idea is injection of platelet rich plasma into the tendon. The plasma has an abundance of "stem" cells that can assist in regenerating the tendon.

Insurance doesn't cover it. The cost is $2000.

[fmv60691]

Thank you all for your input!!

I just got my first shot on my second tendonitis, my doc keeps saying its a good treatment since he uses very small doses of "CELESTONE CRONODOSE" . His point is that cortisone does not cure itself but helps blood flow inside my tendom which makes it cure faster.

Deeman: your book looks quite useful for a MXer. I'm going to try to find it over here (Spain). Looks like a good investment?

Its a fact that I'm doing something wrong. Stretching and warming even more these areas is a must before, during and after MX

Thanks again everyone, especially Dr. Mark who is ALWAYS there!!

[deeman]

Hmmm, so I guess my horse's bowed tendon was ACTUALLY caused by her RAGE against ME and not at all a jumping injury from the pounding those legs take repeatedly. Interesting.

Sorry, I'm glad this worked for you, and stress does do a LOT of damage and cause tightness and pain. To say that ALL pain is in your head, I'll be sure to tell my good friend who just had surgery to fix her blown disk that if only she let go of her rage, the disk would have been JUST fine.

Maybe exercise would help us to let go of stress, oxygenate stressed muscles, let go of rage and help stretch out cramped stressed out areas. Hey, I think they already recommend that....hmmmmmm.

Dude - there is more to it. Perhaps read the book and try it before you knock it.

Thousands of people have benefited from the book - I guess they are all just BS'ing since it can't work according to you.

[DrMark]

There a a bunch of different disease commonly called tendoniitis.

The rotator cuff, and tennis elbow situation are best called today, tendonosis and probably doesent respond to cortisone as there are no inflamatory cells present.

Trigger finger, also called by some as tendonitis, does respond to cortisone because there is actually inflammation going on there.

[DRZCatastrophe]

Dude - there is more to it. Perhaps read the book and try it before you knock it.

Thousands of people have benefited from the book - I guess they are all just BS'ing since it can't work according to you.

It's a knee jerk reaction from having FMS/CFS for years.

And well, I've heard it all. Did you know that MSM is going to save the world? that if only you flush out your colon with enemas or colonic you'd feel better? Only Dr. McDougal's diet is the best for you? Blah Blah blah. These same thing have helped thousands of people, how can they all be wrong? Ohh, forgot one, if only I'd overload my system with Calcium THAT would do it! I just need to take 100x more than the recommended daily allowance!

I'm glad it worked for you and I'm not saying it didn't. I'm saying I think there is a lot more to ongoing pain.

[fmv60691]

There a a bunch of different disease commonly called tendoniitis.

The rotator cuff, and tennis elbow situation are best called today, tendonosis and probably doesent respond to cortisone as there are no inflamatory cells present.

Trigger finger, also called by some as tendonitis, does respond to cortisone because there is actually inflammation going on there.

One of my tendonitis is called also "trigger finger" its in my third finger / left hand. The other one is a flexor in my thumb, first finger /right hand, not in the palm, its not the quervain tendonitis either, its the closest tendom /flexor (sorry for my English here, hope its ok)

So, since these tendoms respond to cortisone, does cortisone really increase blood flow by lowering inflammation and making my tendoms cure faster?

Thanks again!

[DrMark]

"Tendonitis" in the hand, is actually an inflamatory process. Cortisone does work in that locaton.

[chadk66]

It's a knee jerk reaction from having FMS/CFS for years.

And well, I've heard it all. Did you know that MSM is going to save the world? that if only you flush out your colon with enemas or colonic you'd feel better? Only Dr. McDougal's diet is the best for you? Blah Blah blah. These same thing have helped thousands of people, how can they all be wrong? Ohh, forgot one, if only I'd overload my system with Calcium THAT would do it! I just need to take 100x more than the recommended daily allowance!

I'm glad it worked for you and I'm not saying it didn't. I'm saying I think there is a lot more to ongoing pain.[/quote

One benefit to that much calcium is a person would definitely calm down. Years ago, I used to train thoroughbred race horses. The nervous washy ones got huge doses of calcium the night before. Worked wonders.

[DRZCatastrophe]

One benefit to that much calcium is a person would definitely calm down. Years ago, I used to train thoroughbred race horses. The nervous washy ones got huge doses of calcium the night before. Worked wonders.

Yes, I've found that taking calcium/magnesium supplements really help with PMS.? Guess who ran out??

[orangepetrolcrush]

Cortisone is a steroid and this group of medication reduces swelling and inflammation more than ordinary analgesics. But they aren't intended for a long term treatment since these steroids can suppress your immune system.

[CaptainKnobby]

The latest medical idea is injection of platelet rich plasma into the tendon. The plasma has an abundance of "stem" cells that can assist in regenerating the tendon.

Insurance doesn't cover it. The cost is $2000.

Looks like Insurance would cover That. That would be cheaper on the Insurance than a Tendinitis surgery .....wouldn't it?

[CaptainKnobby]

There a a bunch of different disease commonly called tendoniitis.

The rotator cuff, and tennis elbow situation are best called today, tendonosis and probably doesent respond to cortisone as there are no inflamatory cells present.

Trigger finger, also called by some as tendonitis, does respond to cortisone because there is actually inflammation going on there.

That might be what I have........
Its on side of elbow.....Like right on the point of the radial bone.

[CaptainKnobby]

There a a bunch of different disease commonly called tendoniitis.

The rotator cuff, and tennis elbow situation are best called today, tendonosis and probably doesent respond to cortisone as there are no inflamatory cells present.

Trigger finger, also called by some as tendonitis, does respond to cortisone because there is actually inflammation going on there.

Here is a pic of where my soft spot is. Feels real bruised and painful. I have a circle drawer on the location and right in the middle of that circle is where the pain is when you press it.