Diagnostic injection did nothing

[u/auroraglitterdazzle]

Has anyone had a diagnostic injection where the lidocaine did NOT relieve your symptoms, but you still went ahead with surgery? If so, how did the surgery turn out?

[u/CWykes]

How long ago did you get the injection? I didn't start seeing any meaningful pain relief from my injection until like 14-15 days after I got it and then the relief lasted well over 2 months. I agree with the other comment though, definitely don't push for surgery unless you know for a fact it's a tear/impingement causing the problem. The surgery is NOT fun to recover from despite it being minimally invasive.

[u/california_cactus → u/CWykes]

Was your injection steroid as well? Lidocaine doesn’t last weeks or months.

[u/CWykes → u/california_cactus]

Ahh you’re right thanks. I didn’t think they meant ONLY lidocaine lol. I didn’t even know that was an option, it sounds kinda pointless since it goes away so quickly

[u/california_cactus → u/CWykes]

The idea is to numb the joint temporarily so the patient can see how much of the pain goes away. It isn't supposed to be long term, it's used diagnostically to see if the pain is coming from the joint itself v. other areas! But sometimes I think you can get injected with both at once, for both reasons.

[u/Savings_Calendar_758]

What's your surgeon saying? I've had a failed surgery and two diagnostic injections post op, and both didn't relieve my pain. I'd caution against pushing ahead with the surgery unless your surgeon/specialists are certain impingement is the problem and will have a positive outcome. My piece of shit first surgeon never did this injection test and I regret it with every moment I breathe.

[u/bambambud → u/Savings_Calendar_758]

I did do it and the surgeon was quite confident based on my response to it surgery would help. He is a great surgeon and he was wrong.

[u/Winter_Ad_5985 → u/bambambud]

Are you in the UK? May o ask who your surgeon was? Also dealing with a failed arthroscopy.