Gel shots in the Knees

blakcherry329

Well-Known Member
I just got cortisone shots in both knees and I am impressed with the change. While I'm not pain free, it's definitely waaaaaaay better than before.
I go back at the end of the month for a consultation about the gel shots.

Is it effective/worth it? How long does it last? etc.....

Thanks, in advance, for any info
 

BTW300

Addicted to Softballfans
As far as how long it lasts, I've had one friend say he needed two shots a year and another who said it wore off in a couple of weeks. I don't think you will get a concrete answer. It just depends on the person.
 

rmp0012002

Addicted to Softballfans
I’ve had an injection in my neck for a nerve injury and it hasn’t bothered me. I have one knee bothering me now that I have to get looked at. Getting old is not fun.
 

ilyk2win

Addicted to Softballfans
I've been getting Euflexxa shots in both knees for about 7 years now. They are the most expensive of the shots on the market and insurance gives me a hassle every time. Up until this point, I've only gotten them once a year and got about 7-9 months benefit from them. They can be done every 6 months. A series of 3 injections 7 days apart. The only reason I haven't done it twice a year is Insurance "Specialty" Pharmacy will only dispense once per year. I'd have to find a place that stocks it to get it the second time. I've stuck with them despite the hassle bc that's what I had first and had great success, so why change what is known to work and risk it. My knees have worsened so I'm considering changing from Euflexxa so I can get them twice a year. Euflexxa is the only 100% synthetic one - the rest have biological (bird) matter in them. I swear by them - for MY condition. I have osteoarthritis with bone spurs off the outside corner of both knees - not quite bone-on-bone yet, but the gap is decreasing by the year. Compression sleeves make them swell more so I can't use them. These injections are the only reason I'm still able to be active....so I 100% support them - although running still causes some swelling. I also highly recommend a Physiatrist over an Orthopedic Surgeon. Ortho's seem to just want to do Cortisone....I've had about 5 of those injections that did absolutely nothing, yet that's what they still want to do. Seems that if they can't justify an operation ($$$) then they just want to cycle you through as another number. Anyway, HMU if you have any other questions.
 

blakcherry329

Well-Known Member
Cool. That's encouraging. So far everyone is in favor of the gel shot, no matter which "flavor" that get.
My knees are bone on bone in the interior of both knees. So I'm going to get braces, also. I'm going to a joint specialist as opposed to an Orthopedist. When to two Sports medicine/Orthos and they both gave me the run around talking about PT first. Didn't even suggest cortisone. WTF. This place is the first Dr that actually did something. Got 20cc of fluid drained out of both knees. It was miraculous how good it felt to play with about 75% less pain in my left knee.
Can't wait to get the gel shots.
 

ilyk2win

Addicted to Softballfans
My co-pay started at $75....I think it's up to $150. My shots are somewhere around $1800 I think. So you can see why Insurance gives me flack. I've had mine drained multiple times, usually after playing multi-day tourneys. 55cc's I think is the most taken at one time.....and I went back a few days later for more though. ****erson also has experience with them and knee problems if you're friends with him.
 

blakcherry329

Well-Known Member
Yikes, 55cc?
My cortisone was $44 per knee. Braces will be $125 for both. Pretty good, so far. I go back on the 29th to talk about the gel shots. It's a place on Rt 34 in Wall. Highly recommend them so far.
 

ANNASDAD

The Veteran
Just finished up my 3 week, 3 rounds of Visco gel shots in my left knee. I'm 57 and me and my Ortho doctor are both trying to put off partial knee replacement for as long as possible!

Tore my medial meniscus and had it scoped exactly 10 years, the 100% (for sure) byproduct of repairing your meniscus is arthritis, and that's where I'm at right now!

When I first went in to see about another cortisone shot around 6 or 7 weeks ago, I was dying, would of had surgery that very day! Got the cortisone shot and immediately felt better.....lasted 3 or 4 days, called again and got the ball rolling on setting up the Visco gel shots.

My doctor said the manufacturer states that if it works (works for about 80% of patients) then I should start seeing results around 4 weeks after my very first shot. Gotta say, my knee still hurts but it's the best it's felt in months!

After my first visit (the day I wanted to cut my leg off) I asked this doctor what was involved in a second meniscus surgery, as in how successful is it a second time? He showed me my very fresh Xray and said sorry, that surgery is off the table for you.....you're bone on bone on your medial side!

So this gel therapy is my only shot right now, and I'm banking on it....hard, cause the next step is the big surgery! He told me I can't have the gel shots for at least 6 months after this last shot and if it's helping we'll take a look in 6 months and do it again, and then again!

Good luck, bad knees suck!!
 

smoke

50AAA USA National Champs
I had great results with Euflexxa injections, mine lasted over a year but dealing with insurance was a pain in the arse. Got the ball rolling on TKR, just jumping through all the hoops now (clearances from dentists and all my doctors) and hopefully having surgery first week of January
SMOKE
 

BTW300

Addicted to Softballfans
I had great results with Euflexxa injections, mine lasted over a year but dealing with insurance was a pain in the arse. Got the ball rolling on TKR, just jumping through all the hoops now (clearances from dentists and all my doctors) and hopefully having surgery first week of January
SMOKE
Good luck with your TKR. I had a partial knee replacement little over a year ago. So glad I had it done. Just work hard on the rehab and you'll be good as new.
 

blakcherry329

Well-Known Member
Just finished up my 3 week, 3 rounds of Visco gel shots in my left knee. I'm 57 and me and my Ortho doctor are both trying to put off partial knee replacement for as long as possible!

Tore my medial meniscus and had it scoped exactly 10 years, the 100% (for sure) byproduct of repairing your meniscus is arthritis, and that's where I'm at right now!

When I first went in to see about another cortisone shot around 6 or 7 weeks ago, I was dying, would of had surgery that very day! Got the cortisone shot and immediately felt better.....lasted 3 or 4 days, called again and got the ball rolling on setting up the Visco gel shots.

My doctor said the manufacturer states that if it works (works for about 80% of patients) then I should start seeing results around 4 weeks after my very first shot. Gotta say, my knee still hurts but it's the best it's felt in months!

After my first visit (the day I wanted to cut my leg off) I asked this doctor what was involved in a second meniscus surgery, as in how successful is it a second time? He showed me my very fresh Xray and said sorry, that surgery is off the table for you.....you're bone on bone on your medial side!

So this gel therapy is my only shot right now, and I'm banking on it....hard, cause the next step is the big surgery! He told me I can't have the gel shots for at least 6 months after this last shot and if it's helping we'll take a look in 6 months and do it again, and then again!

Good luck, bad knees suck!!
Yeah, the cortisone felt great for a few days. Still better than before the shot, now, but not as great.
I was in the same boat. I could barely run, at all. I was all ready for TKR if that's what it meant to play semi-pain free.
But this Dr. said it doesn't look as bad as I thought it looked on the xray, so he said the gel shots and brace should be enough.
I'm open to anything at this point.
I will said bad knees suck, but waaaaaaaaaay better than a bad back.
 

UncleMosk

Well-Known Member
Got the shots beginning of the season in the spring. Took about a month to start really feeling better. Went from having no known knee issue until had the 2nd booster. Three days later and feared a blood clot. Was a bakers cyst behind the LH knee and 1st signs of arthritis the doc said. Been using a hemp salve and magic stuff under the compression brace. Some days better than others but still able to play and somewhat produce.

Yeah, the cortisone felt great for a few days. Still better than before the shot, now, but not as great.
I was in the same boat. I could barely run, at all. I was all ready for TKR if that's what it meant to play semi-pain free.
But this Dr. said it doesn't look as bad as I thought it looked on the xray, so he said the gel shots and brace should be enough.
I'm open to anything at this point.
I will said bad knees suck, but waaaaaaaaaay better than a bad back.
 

UncleMosk

Well-Known Member
What is this "magic stuff" you speak of??? Topical stuff doesn't seem to do much for me.
Always ready to try something, however
It's on Amazon. Some concoction of perfumed mints, lavender and who knows what else. Old man swore by Bacon Fat when he had knee issues. Haven't tried that one. Guess the Goose Greese is legit!
 

hitless45

Addicted to Softballfans
I've been using therawrox for the 2 or 3 yrs. They have one for cramps and such and another one for joint discomfort, inflammation. Both seemed to have helped me especially the cramps formula
 

AutomaticSOB

Senior Status 50+
I use the magic stuff A/H, Athlete and Heat formulas. Bought at a tourney in Lincoln, CA this year and wife who is a runner uses it as well. I have a bucket handle meniscus tear and wear this Magic Stuff rub+compression sleeve+hinged brace+Aleve. Usually good for 4-6 games before I start icing.
 

defos

Well-Known Member
I spoke to a softball friend today who had major knee surgery last summer. I didn't know what the surgery was about until today. He said he was bone on bone, and they took a piece of his own cartilage, grew it in a lab, and put it in his knee - a cartilage transplant using his own cartilage. He said it's still a little stiff, but a LOT less pain since the surgery. Still not released by dr, but has his 6 month followup next week. He's in his early to mid 40s, and hasn't been able to work for 6 months (has his own flooring business, and he's the only employee), but was told this will get him another 20 years before a knee replacement.
 

blakcherry329

Well-Known Member
I spoke to a softball friend today who had major knee surgery last summer. I didn't know what the surgery was about until today. He said he was bone on bone, and they took a piece of his own cartilage, grew it in a lab, and put it in his knee - a cartilage transplant using his own cartilage. He said it's still a little stiff, but a LOT less pain since the surgery. Still not released by dr, but has his 6 month followup next week. He's in his early to mid 40s, and hasn't been able to work for 6 months (has his own flooring business, and he's the only employee), but was told this will get him another 20 years before a knee replacement.
Mid 40s is young for bone on bone, imo. Yikes. I can only imagine the beating his knees take in a flooring business.
I have an appt. on 1/10/23 to talk about gel shots and braces. Hopefully something will be done to get the ball rolling.
 

ogWarlock78

Addicted to Softballfans
My wife had great results from Euflexa (3 injections) or Supartz (5 injections). Can't remember which one...it was 7+ years ago. Gave her noticable relief quickly and lasted 10-12 months the first two times she did it. We had a minor co-pay and getting approval was no hassle at all.
Dr had said once it stopped helping, time for knee replacement. Sure enough, 3rd time, the reilief was short lived.
I think Synvic is the newest thing - 1 injection. Friend with horrible knees just had it and he said it helped.
Snake oils that heat or cool the skin don't "fix" anything. What they are doing is temporarily fooling the nerves, giving them another sensation to "think" about. How do you get your big toe to stop hurting? Whack your thumb with a hammer!
Diclofenac Sodium Topical NSAID Gel (Voltaren) HAS helped arthritis pain in my wrist and friend says it has helped arthritis pain his knee.
PRP: most insurance will not cover it. I was trying any and everything for my achilese tendonitis....poof! $800 gone and still hurt. Same for a teammate who had it in his knee.
 

UncleMosk

Well-Known Member
My wife had great results from Euflexa (3 injections) or Supartz (5 injections). Can't remember which one...it was 7+ years ago. Gave her noticable relief quickly and lasted 10-12 months the first two times she did it. We had a minor co-pay and getting approval was no hassle at all.
Dr had said once it stopped helping, time for knee replacement. Sure enough, 3rd time, the reilief was short lived.
I think Synvic is the newest thing - 1 injection. Friend with horrible knees just had it and he said it helped.
Snake oils that heat or cool the skin don't "fix" anything. What they are doing is temporarily fooling the nerves, giving them another sensation to "think" about. How do you get your big toe to stop hurting? Whack your thumb with a hammer!
Diclofenac Sodium Topical NSAID Gel (Voltaren) HAS helped arthritis pain in my wrist and friend says it has helped arthritis pain his knee.
PRP: most insurance will not cover it. I was trying any and everything for my achilese tendonitis....poof! $800 gone and still hurt. Same for a teammate who had it in his knee.
🤣😂 at "What they are doing is temporarily fooling the nerves, giving them another sensation to "think" about. How do you get your big toe to stop hurting? Whack your thumb with a hammer!"
 
Top