Cortizone, yes or no?

[240Cup]

So I have a niggling injury, top of left calf just under the knee - physio says it is where the hamstring joins a cluster of muscles there. Has been on and off for years. Have had an X-ray on knee which shows a little bit of wear but nothing major so it is clearly muscular/tendons. i kind of 'manage' it - it comes back, I rest it for a few weeks, take it easy, try and rehabilitate it, it goes well for a bit then comes back again etc etc.

Now trying to build up my fitness and was going really well (for me) with a record time last week of 55 miles in three hours (not sure how good that is, but it is good for me!) and have been in occasional physio and exercises at home to stretch and strengthen the hamstrings to supposedly take pressure off this injury, had all but cleared up and then overdid it on leg curls with leg weights attached a couple of days ago and it has come back. Like a sharp stinging pain. Doesn't stop me actually doing anything but is very noticeable and noticeably worse if I over exert on the bike, say up a gradient. REALLY pi**ing me off!

I have the offer of a cortizone injection in the area next week, not sure whether to go for it or not - any experiences?

[neenaw]

The cortisone injection will mask the symptoms and more often than not the injury will return, at least that's what I've been told by various Dr's and physio's about different injuries.
The best thing is often to try and do some work with a good physio to try and correct whatever caused the problem in the first place.

[Fluffsri]

As above. I had Cortizone for a shoulder injury. It hid the pin for nearly 3 months but it came back and I think was worse. I had 3 injections and was told that's all I could have. Unfortunatel its a mask, not a cure.

[JEA1K]

240Cup said:

So I have a niggling injury, top of left calf just under the knee - physio says it is where the hamstring joins a cluster of muscles there. Has been on and off for years. Have had an X-ray on knee which shows a little bit of wear but nothing major so it is clearly muscular/tendons. i kind of 'manage' it - it comes back, I rest it for a few weeks, take it easy, try and rehabilitate it, it goes well for a bit then comes back again etc etc.

Now trying to build up my fitness and was going really well (for me) with a record time last week of 55 miles in three hours (not sure how good that is, but it is good for me!) and have been in occasional physio and exercises at home to stretch and strengthen the hamstrings to supposedly take pressure off this injury, had all but cleared up and then overdid it on leg curls with leg weights attached a couple of days ago and it has come back. Like a sharp stinging pain. Doesn't stop me actually doing anything but is very noticeable and noticeably worse if I over exert on the bike, say up a gradient. REALLY pi**ing me off!

I have the offer of a cortizone injection in the area next week, not sure whether to go for it or not - any experiences?

I would work around it, cortizone isn't a fix, it will temporarily give you pain relief ... and at some point, the doctor won't give you any more. Doing a focused exercise on that part of the body is daft (although I think you know that!) so should be avoided.

The good thing about peddling is it can help balance your strength in these areas without stressing them unnecessarily .... as long as you keep the cadence high, no grinding away with plenty of stretching I think you could probably work around it.

Might be worth seeing another physio, get another opinion and possibly some form of treatment direct to that area.

[jockinthebox]

Avoid! I cycled/raced to a decent amateur level, I suffered from ITB problems, I had a course of cortisone injections to get me through the season, as others have said, it only masked the problem, I've been off the bike now for over 7 years after terrible ITB and knee troubles.

[240Cup]

Dood advice, so it seems the consensus is to avoid - my own gut feeling too.

Did another 55 miles in three hours on Sunday with a mild painkiller which saw me through (is this OK to do?) and then in physio again today.

[Mr Gearchange]

Roy Keane used to repeatedly ask for a Cortisone injection when he was at United.
Beckham apparently said if Roy was getting a new car then he wanted one too.

[240Cup]

Boom Tish ...!

[popeyewhite]

Cortizone is used to treat inflammation. If the underlying injury hasn't healed that has nothing to do with the cortizone.