steroid injection for shoulder burstitis and LE risk

maria26 · March 2017

has anyone safely had a cortisone injection in their upper back, mine is for scapula burstitis. I have mild lymphedema in my breast and armpit and obviously dont want to make it worse. The pain is getting me down so I would love to try the injection. I get conflicting advice from the drs. Some say very small risk of Infection some say no. My pain is between spine and shoulderblade on right b.c, side.

Any advice

Maria

Freya244117 · March 2017

Maria, I had a cortisone injection in my Ulna nerve ( elbow area) in my LE arm. It was a difficult choice, and I got lucky and had no problems because of it. I too had conflicting advice, and personally believe it is just the luck of the draw as to whether it will cause you issues or not. I took the risk because the pain was debilitating. Having said that, there was no guarantee the injection was going to work.

Good luck with your decision, and I hope you get some relief.

doxie · March 2017

maria,

That's a hard call.

My LE is in remission, but was like yours and also in the upper arm. About 4 years out from radiation, my LE calmed down. But during active LE, I had two surgeries and a cortisone shot on that side.

On the LE arm I had a cortisone shot in my thumb for trigger relief, then a year later had hand surgery for the trigger thumb. Before each, my thumb was inflamed from the pain. Not sure if this was LE or something else, because it remained only there. At any rate within two months of each I was both pain free and had no swelling in the thumb. The only infection was what I got from my two recent surgeries, localized at the stitches. Interestingly the other was nipple reconstruction on my LE breast. That swelling took six months to go down. It stretched from the breast through the upper arm, but still mild.

It's true there is no guarantee the cortisone shot will work, nor last. Mine did for a year until the pain and triggering came back. Being pain free and regaining an areola, to me were worth the risk even though I had mild LE.

Katiejane · March 2017

Maria, I have a completely torn rotator cuff on my LE arm. My LE extends under my arm and completely around my back and chest to the other arm. I have seen 2 different Ortho's regarding the pain and possible surgery to repair my rotator cuff. I also spoke to my surgeon who did my DIEP and lymph node transfer. One surgeon said it wouldn't be a risk to have surgery or and injection, one surgeon said no way-he would not do surgery or an injection, and my reconstruction surgeon spoke to many Ortho's in her area and all said they would never do either procedure on a LE patient--period! I have chosen to live with the pain and limited use of my arm. Unfortunately, if I over use my arm it swells from the shoulder inflammation on top of my LE swelling. Kind of a no win situation but I have accepted it and moved on. Just another gift from the cancer journey!

I wish you well and please let us know what you decide and the outcome! Best of luck!!! Katiejane

maria26 · October 2017

Joanne, i have received all the pms and 2 emails where you asked me to let you know if I had got them. Replied to them all. Am getting my noticiations ok as well. I am now receiving the e mails you sent. I think the 1 being left out of my e mail address was the problem. I dont understand why you are not getting my replies. I have replied again today just now it is 2.20 uk time on the 31st to the pms and the latest e mails. I think the spooks are surely out today something is messing with our correspondence.

Take care

steroid injection for shoulder burstitis and LE risk

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