Extreme arthritis pain/Injections?

fussyonion

I hope someone can help.

A family member has been suffering from extreme pain in his foot (and hips) due to arthritis.
He's been suffering for years and always just got on with it.

He was eventually referred to a rheumatologist (he waited a year for the appointment) and eventually met the consultant.
She examined his foot thoroughly and agreed he needed treatment.
She told him she was referring him for physio and she also said that if physio didn't work, there were injections available.

She made a point of saying that the injections were last resort but encouraged him to go for the physio.

He went to physio every two weeks and had his foot measured and had special insoles made for his shoes, which cost €100.
The physiotherapist told him "If they don't fit right, you have 6 weeks to return them for adjustment".

He's had them on a few weeks now and doesn't feel any benefit.

He said "It doesn't matter if they get the insoles corrected-they're only temporary. It's not getting rid of my pain, and what about the pain in my hips?"

This man is quiet, keeps himself to himself and would never feel sorry for himself, but he is agony.
He's often sitting down, wincing in pain, moving his feet constantly saying they're killing him.
Walking around is agony for him; his hips hurt so much.

I'm sorry for the long story here, but I need info about these injections.
Surely he can get them at this stage?

Nothing else has worked (he was on NSAID's for years which caused kidney damage, which was repaired) and has had the physio and other exams.

So the rheumatologist said the injections were there as an option....how does he go about getting them?
Does he have to go to his GP to get ANOTHER referral back to the rheumatologist?

Can he just back to the physiotherapist and get him to refer him?

How does he see someone about the injections?

What is the injection and how does it work?

Is anyone on them and do they work?

Any advice or help you can give will be extremely appreciated and so helpful and I thank you in advance.

Anita Blow

As far as I know, Corticosteroids are the injections used. They reduce inflammation in the joint which should help reduce his pain and increase his range of movement.

While at the physio he could enquire about TENS. It's a small unit the size of a walkman that Physiotherapists may give to patients with Musculoskeletal pain such as Arthritis and it helps to reduce the pain and increase range.

fussyonion

Thank you Anita.
I don't want to get anyone into trouble here..

Note to mods...I'm not necessarily asking people to dole out medical advice that will get them in trouble.

I suppose my main question is "Has anyone taken the injections for arthritis and do they find they help?"