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Bursa_cortizone injection_serious complications?

(3 discussions)

hello,If someone can please help….
I have inflamed heel bursas on my calcaneous (dont know if they are anterior, posterior – or both.
i had an xray done which ruled out heel spurs but showed a dint in the bone where the bursa is located at the back of the heel.
I am unfortunately currently in a third world country that apparently does not have feet specialists and after two incorrect diagnosises by completely incompetent orthopedic doctors I did the xray.
Yesterday after the X-ray the doctor injected the back of my heels (possibly bursa area) with a couple shots of cortizone in each heel.
Seconds later there was a large swelling (1/2 to 1 cm) on the area where he injected.
he used cortizone and an anaestetic and he seemed to have to press very hard to inject into the area.
I could walk afterwards and felt only numbnesss in my heels.
about 45 minutes later the pain began.
It was intense and seemed to affect my lower legs as well.
my feet were hot and red and maybe swollen.
i used cold on my feet and that took the heat away.Since then I can not walk.
well, I can walk but I can only use my lower leg muscles lifting and placing my feet on the ground but not with the foot.
specifically, I can not use the muscles or tendons to lift my heels off the ground.
i also can not lift my toes – or pull my toes towards me with the strength of my feet.
it is as if I have lost my muscle strength.
I have done a couple of hot/cold feet baths and do not know if this is the correct thing to do.
Is it normal to have such a reaction to these cortizone shots?
I am concerned that perhaps he filled the bursas too full of liquid and or injected into the tendons.
perhaps he injected into the muscles and nerves also?!
something feels very very wrong and he injected directly into the areas I showed him that were my painful spots on the feet.
perhaps I need to have the bursas drained.
or perhaps the cortizone will simply disolve (how long?) and my feet will again be normal. I have also read about risks of a ruptured tendon if the cortizone is injected into a tendon and do not know if I should completely stay off of my feet and for how long, stetch the calves and feet or?!
I have absolutely no way to get correct information from any doctors in this country.
I can find no research on the internet of such a reaction of a cortizone injection.
If anyone can please help I would be very grateful.
Any advise and information please.many thanksbrenda


3 comments

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    9 10

    Vivian,
    thanks so much for answering. How can I find out if the tendon has been injected also? the doctor will never admit this if this is the case and also believes that there is no danger whatsoever of injecting this tendon?! the area where he injected was directly at the back of the heel and from where one can feel the calcaneous bone…..a cm or so up from that. the second injection site was at the same horizontal level–possible slightly higher but where the heel curves to the inside side of the foot. Do you think that from these localized areas I explained that it would be fairly likely that he did inject the tendon?

    Vivian Abrams DPM

    9 10

    If the Achilles tendon area has been injected, this area should be immobilizated for at least 2 weeks. Cortisone weakens the tendon it is injected into. Personally, I do not inject this area with cortisone. The steroid reaction is noted most frequently with an insoluable steroid such as Depo Medrol. It is a less common reaction with soluable steroids such as dexamethasone. You probably need to limit any motion in the area and use crutches for assistance.

      Vivian Abrams DPM

      9 10

      It is likely that the tendon will be affected. I suggest you use crutches if you can find some for at least 2 weeks. A cast boot for immobilization would be better, but I don’t know if that is available. Hopefully over the next several weeks this calms down. Ice might be the best choice to use topically. Heat might feel ok but it increases inflammation. If the country you are in has any topical anti-inflammatory creams, rub this on the area affected. I would not recommend a repeat of this episode.

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