Cortisone shot ahead of surgery

capecodder

I am scheduled for prostatectomy at Mass Gen Brigham on 3/31. My question is about cortisone shots. I have torn meniscus and almost bone on bone in right knee. I have had success with cortisone helping with pain and last shot was about a year ago, and knee is starting to act up again. I know I need to walk a lot after surgery to recover and prevent blood clots, so do not want my knee to stop me. My doctor said he thinks it is ok to get a cortisone shot 5+ weeks ahead of surgery, but it was a quick note on patient gateway with no long discussion. I went to “Dr. Google” and found, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery in NY, a statement that patients should not have cortisone shot any closer than 3 months before surgery due to immunosuppressive effect on healing. Does anyone have experience or advice about getting a cortisone shot in my knee 5 weeks before prostatectomy? If so, did it cause any issues with recovery or lead to an infection? Thanks!

Clevelandguy

Hi,

Cortisone can increase your risk for blood clotting complications, but that is a discussion between you and your doctor. If it was me I would not risk it, you can research it on Google.

Dave 3+4

Josephg

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/329989/cortisone-shot-ahead-of-surgery

If your medical care team is OK with it, that would be good enough for me.

TurtBean

I’d just talk to my care team about it - so much with any kind of treatment is a risk-benefit tradeoff. Is the risk of not walking much after surgery worse than the risk of blood clots during/after surgery.

I know immediately after (and I assume during) surgery, I was given Heparin shots to mitigate clotting, and I know some patients continue with a blood thinner for a short time during recovery, so it could be that your oncologist would suggest getting the cortisone shot and then plan on keeping you on blood thinners for a while afterward.

capecodder

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726270#Comment_1726270

Thanks for the input!

capecodder

Thanks!

capecodder

Next pre-op question: did anyone rent a power lift recliner to help get up without too much strain on abdomen? Or not really necessary? Thanks

TurtBean

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726275#Comment_1726275

I did not, but I thought about it a time or two!

What I did buy, though, was a raised toilet seat. That was a must-have. I got one from CVS for about $60.

Clevelandguy

Hi,

Never needed a power recliner, just take your time getting up/down, be careful. I did not notice any weakness or pulling after my surgery. I also put temporary waterproof dressing over my incisions when I showered or you can do sponge baths. I have found large cuts heal faster for me if I keep them dry as much as possible.

Dave 3+4

capecodder

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726278#Comment_1726278

thanks!

Josephg

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726275#Comment_1726275

I didn't need one. You learn to roll out of bed, and that minimizes stress on the abdomen.

I don't want to sound cavalier about your upcoming surgery, but you will be up and about in no time at all. 2 days after surgery, I was climbing up and down stairs (slowly and carefully), and I was back at work (remotely) on the 3rd day after surgery.

I'm not saying that you will do/recover the same as me, I'm just saying that your recovery will be faster than you think. You will recover faster than the time it takes for your urethra to heal and ditch the catheter.

capecodder

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726290#Comment_1726290

Thanks for the encouragement, @Josephg. Pretty nervous about it, so it is good to hear positive things!