euflexxa injections for knee pain?

ColletteNicole

I have knee pain from several knee issues (knee caps are off track, loose cartilage, etc.) Just started PT and the orthopedic surgeon I'm seeing also prescribed a series of euflexxa injections, one a week in each knee for 3 weeks. I've been researching these injections online and I'm now TERRIFIED of the needle/pain/side effects! First injection is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon! Has anyone else had these? I'd love to hear your experiences...

Phaedra2014

I have knee pain from several knee issues (knee caps are off track, loose cartilage, etc.) Just started PT and the orthopedic surgeon I'm seeing also prescribed a series of euflexxa injections, one a week in each knee for 3 weeks. I've been researching these injections online and I'm now TERRIFIED of the needle/pain/side effects! First injection is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon! Has anyone else had these? I'd love to hear your experiences...

Is that a long term solution? What's the plan to get your knees back in shape?

ColletteNicole

Is that a long term solution? What's the plan to get your knees back in shape?

No, I think the effects are supposed to last 6 months of so, but it's supposed to lubricate my knee caps to reduce the damage done until the effects of PT come in. The whole plan that was prescribed is physical therapy - 3x a wk to start off with, custom knee braces that I've been instructed to wear while working out that are supposed to "gently nudge" my knee caps back in place (they just hurt:( and the injections. Surgery is the last resort if the above doesn't work - doc said he'd have to go in and cut the tendons that are holding it in place - ouch!! Scarier than shots but the shots still sound bad!

YoYo1951

I had the shots two different times. If the doctor is good, it is not all that bad. Ask them to spray the cold air on your knee while giving the shot, it really helps, and do not watch, it will freak you out. He has to get into the knee joint. I think the first round of shots, one in each knee helped some, enough for me to go back and try it the next round. I had more than three weeks worth, tho, each time. Second round, not so much. Eventually, had to have my knees replaced. So much better, limited on some things, but the pain I get now is nothing compared to living with it daily. Best of luck

ColletteNicole

I had the shots two different times. If the doctor is good, it is not all that bad. Ask them to spray the cold air on your knee while giving the shot, it really helps, and do not watch, it will freak you out. He has to get into the knee joint. I think the first round of shots, one in each knee helped some, enough for me to go back and try it the next round. I had more than three weeks worth, tho, each time. Second round, not so much. Eventually, had to have my knees replaced. So much better, limited on some things, but the pain I get now is nothing compared to living with it daily. Best of luck

thanks for tip! Sorry to hear it didn't work out long term. I've been reading reviews of the drug/procedure on webMD and I'm debating putting this off until I see how my knees respond to the physical therapy... guess I will talk to my dr again first.

TheRealMrCrusher

I'm actually going through something similar now. I just "completed" PT and have started the Euflexxa injections (2/3 so far).
They sprayed the cold/numbing agent on my knee each time without being asked to do so. Pain on the first injection was "are you kidding me? that's all it is?". The second one didn't hurt, but did seem to take longer.
Comparatively, my knee feels "full" after this second one. It's rather weird. I'll be doing my PT stretches/exercises starting again today (they ask you to take it easy for a day after the shot). Last time doing the PT stuff helped. So I'll get a few days of that in before the next and final shot on Tuesday.

They probably explained to you that you may not feel the full effects of the shots until 4-6 weeks after the final shot. So I'm trying not to make early judgements. I do already think that I want to get them in my left knee as well.

It's also a bit hard to tell if I'm having residual pain from my partial torn meniscus, or the cartilage damage I've always had.

jojokdz

I have had 2 euflexxa INJECTIONS in both knees so far. I have had bad knee pain for years! But the one knee is really hurting worse than ever.. It cracks when I Walk and it hurts to put my weight on it!!! Is this normal? I asked the Dr. and she looked at me with this puzzled look and gave me the 2and shot.. She said to continue with the third and see how it does? Easy for her to say.. I am miserable!!!!

juliek1960

Hi - I just got my 2nd shot yesterday. I have been inactive since October due to knee pain. I'm curious what do you do when both knees really hurt?? Thanks in advance..