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Cortisone injection in knee by ship's doctors

hurwitz5

By hurwitz5,
in Ask a Cruise Question

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hurwitz5

hurwitz5

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Need advice.

 

Had some knee discomfort previously and got a cortisone injection in the knee from my local doctor. Has anyone gotten cortisone shot in knee from ship's doctors? It's an alternative if knee gets worse during my cruise. Hope my knee is fine, but sometimes there is a flare up.

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redhot1

redhot1

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There is a new procedure that you may talk to your Dr about. Its a series of 3 shots into the interior and anterior of your knee that is rooster syrum. If you have insurance its covered, with prior approval. I have been trying to stave off a complete knee repacement and have had the series 2 times now. Every 6 moths and they do help. It mask the pain and does give ypu better results than cortizone. But ask your Dr about it, they7 Are aware and are using it. I know several of my friends that have used them and good results. It doesn't renew the damage but it does help it and can help to postpone knee replacement.:)

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HelenREMfan

HelenREMfan

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I agree with the above. I have just had 2 shots in my knees..... the 2nd one yesterday from the orthopaedic consultant. I have though in the past had one from my GP in my local surgery but that was only because he was happy to do it. I would think it would depend on the level of experience and maybe previous specialism of the ship doctor on board. So that is a completely unknown factor. I once had a GP who had previously been a surgeon and she tackled my ingrowing toenail in her surgery without batting an eyelid. She was good too !.

Anyway I hope my knees are good to go for the next 2 weeks...leave on Sunday :)

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floridatravelersforlife

floridatravelersforlife

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My DW receives these injections (aka hyalgan) to avoid the final treatment ie knee replacement. Her protocol is 3 injections spaced one week apart. The injection sometimes is painless sometimes painful Swelling is normal and ice is required with rest. This is not like taking an aspirin and requires expert technique. The chances are high that a ship's doctor would NOT have the skill to administer the shots. Second it is prescheduled treatment ( the serum has to be ordered in advance), and effective on only some knees

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elkay68

elkay68

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There is a new procedure that you may talk to your Dr about. Its a series of 3 shots into the interior and anterior of your knee that is rooster syrum. If you have insurance its covered, with prior approval. I have been trying to stave off a complete knee repacement and have had the series 2 times now. Every 6 moths and they do help. It mask the pain and does give ypu better results than cortizone. But ask your Dr about it, they7 Are aware and are using it. I know several of my friends that have used them and good results. It doesn't renew the damage but it does help it and can help to postpone knee replacement.:)

 

Rather than having the shot in a series of 3, you can also have it in 1. i have had it 2X (a year apart). It works and I have had it done prior to going on vacation. For me it works better than cotizone.

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Gracie115

Gracie115

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But if you couldn't see your regular doctor because you are traveling

Would the ship's doctor administer a cortisone shot?

 

 

Very doubtful without xrays, records.

 

An alternative, my doctor provided me with a 7 Day Prednisone pack, you know the step down kind, 7 pills one day, 5 the next...etc....just for this kind of situation because I have knee and back problems. I never had to use it but it was nice to have in case I had a flare up. Just a thought...

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Turtles06 Great Review Rare

Turtles06

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Need advice.

 

Had some knee discomfort previously and got a cortisone injection in the knee from my local doctor. Has anyone gotten cortisone shot in knee from ship's doctors? It's an alternative if knee gets worse during my cruise. Hope my knee is fine, but sometimes there is a flare up.

 

I totally sympathize with you, as there have been some times when I've desperately needed a cortisone injection in my knee. However, injecting a steroid into the knee joint is not something just any doctor can do, and it's hard to imagine a ship's doctor doing it (I'm not sure I would want one to). In my case, it's always been done by a trusted orthopod or rheumatologist.

 

Why not talk to your own doctor well before you leave and inquire about alternatives? Perhaps you can take a prescription strength anti-inflammatory while you are traveling.

 

I wish you a pain-free and wonderful trip!

 

PS: the advice above about having a series of injections of joint fluid replacement (Synvisc or competitors) applies to people with arthritis who are currently in pain. It's not something you do when you aren't having any symptoms from your arthritis -- the injections don't halt the progression of the disease, they just treat the pain (for those folks for whom they work).

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Waterloomarc

Waterloomarc

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I have had to get cortizone shots in my shoulder on a few occasions in the past and I get nervous having my Orthopedic do it. I can't imagine letting a ships doc do it! But that's my opinion only. Just outright guessing but I would surprised if they're kitted up to even do it. I was under the impression the were just there to handle emergencies. While I'm sure extremely painful I don't think a joint requiring cortizone would qualify as an emergency. (I know when my shoulder acts up I literally can't move my arm)

 

As for cost, it's been my experience that bills are usually significantly less when there's no insurance involved.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

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jackdiamond

jackdiamond

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There is a new procedure that you may talk to your Dr about. Its a series of 3 shots into the interior and anterior of your knee that is rooster syrum. If you have insurance its covered, with prior approval. I have been trying to stave off a complete knee repacement and have had the series 2 times now. Every 6 moths and they do help. It mask the pain and does give ypu better results than cortizone. But ask your Dr about it, they7 Are aware and are using it. I know several of my friends that have used them and good results. It doesn't renew the damage but it does help it and can help to postpone knee replacement.:)

I assume you mean that it does not reduce the damage, not renew the damage.

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Hapytocruise

Hapytocruise

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You might want to try a knee support. I had terrible knee pain in one knee and wearing the support was so helpful I purchased one for my other knee when it began to get the same pain. After wearing them for a few weeks - no more pain but I still wear them when I know I'll be doing a lot of walking.

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sabookkeeper

sabookkeeper

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I have been getting injections in my knees for 6 or 7 years now. I started getting them in a series of 3 shots over 3 weeks and now I get Durolane which only requires one shot. My orthopedic surgeon gives me my shots. I don't think I would want a ship's doctor to give them even if he says he can. My understanding is that it is important that the needle is put into the correct spot in the knee. When I am getting close to needing a shot, I wear my knee brace and it allows me to delay the shot sometimes for 1-2 months. Bottom line is that it is your decision, however, you may want to see if you can get your shot before you leave on your cruise.

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Ex-Airbalancer

Ex-Airbalancer

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I have been getting injections in my knees for 6 or 7 years now. I started getting them in a series of 3 shots over 3 weeks and now I get Durolane which only requires one shot. My orthopedic surgeon gives me my shots. I don't think I would want a ship's doctor to give them even if he says he can. My understanding is that it is important that the needle is put into the correct spot in the knee. When I am getting close to needing a shot, I wear my knee brace and it allows me to delay the shot sometimes for 1-2 months. Bottom line is that it is your decision, however, you may want to see if you can get your shot before you leave on your cruise.

 

I am getting a shot on Friday, can you walk after getting it ?

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spookwife

spookwife

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But if you couldn't see your regular doctor because you are traveling

Would the ship's doctor administer a cortisone shot?

 

a reputable one would NOT, not without seeing your med history. and who says it is something that is routinely on board anyway?

 

you were told that if you think this will be a problem to see your doctor BEFORE you travel and get one.

 

In my family that is called pre emptive medicating.. downing nl Aleve before getting into the car for a 8 hour drive.

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