
Sore And Tight Muscles In Legs. Developed Red Rashes After Taking Cortisone Injections. Any Ideas?

Good new is that cortisone seems to have addressed pain in knees to be able to concentrate on building back strength in muscles and tendons that support the knee. Knees were a symptom not the cause.
Soon after having the cortisone injections - say the next day - I developed a reddish red web type pattern on the skin or under the surface on the upper and inner part of both my knees - which is in fact where I tend to gently massage instinctively with regard to my leg and knee conditions. No one can really tell me what caused the deterioration in my legs... over the course of this experience I have seen of course my GP; my chiro; my myotherapist; an orthapedic surgeon; a physio; my general core muscles strneght trainer and a chinese remidal massage therapist - all have dealt relatively well from there area of expertise - some better that others - but no one can pin point the cause - I wondered and some of the professionals have suggested it might have been caused by some kind of auto immune reaction .... I don't know... all I am aiming to do it get well. Can you assist with any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks for the query.
From your description it seems like you are suffering from osteoarthritis. I would like to know what the x-rays and MRI of your knees showed.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition affecting the cartilage of the knee causing it to wear-out and subsequently cause inflammation. This result in pain and swelling around the knees and legs which can be the reasons for stiffness and loss of muscle strength (because of inactivity).
The skin looks like there was some local reaction to the cortisone injection.
This is not really an autoimmune condition; it is more of a degenerative condition. Exercises and anti-inflammatory medication should help you get back to normal.
I hope I have been of help; do write in case of any query.
Regards


The Xrays showed bones were fine with some slight degenerative indications.
Ligaments all good.
The MRI showed:
Right Knee:
1. Florid lipoma adorescens
2. Severe degenerative changes in the patellofemoral joint
3. Degenerative tearing of the posterior horns of both menisci
4. Complex ganglin along the anteromedial joint line.
Left Knee:
1. Florid lipoma aborescens
2. Severe degenerative changes in the patellofemoral joint
3. Degenerative tearing of the posterior root attachment of the mediat meniscus
4. Severe thinning and fissuring of cartliage in the medial compartment.
I am pleased I now know above as I have a strong sporting history, tennis and netball particularly - so wondered about the impact of that on my knees over the years.
Thanks for idea re local reaction of cortisone... that is what I thought, I just didn''t know if it was common or not.
The onset of the stiffening of calves and soreness around knees puzzles me as i had been attended a core muscle strength class once a week, a personal trainer once a week, chiro every fortnight and myotherapy every mnth for the past five years. I also acquired orthotics five years ago to address soreness in feet etc.
Any other thoughts...
So your MRI report confirms that it is osteoarthritis. Yes, you have been taking care of yourself with the exercises and these should be continued because this problem does not have a sure shot cure .
The focus should be on muscle strengthening exercises, walking or any other aerobic exercises and of course some anti inflammatory medication like cortisone.
The final stages of course can be dealt with by knee replacement, which give pretty good results with a decrease in pain , inflammation and stiffness.
I hope I have been helpful.
Let me know if you have any more concerns. Else, please close this discussion
Regards


Just one last point for me to understand - is there a difference when professionals refer to arthritis in the knee ( as in my case), from osteoarthritis in the knee?
So yes, when they refer to it as arthritis in the knee it is basically the same thing.
Hope this answers your query. Let me know if you have any other concerns.
Regards

Answered by

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
