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Ultrasound Guided Diagnostic Injection

Ultrasound guided injection take two! Left hip this time, and minus the cortisone this time. In case you are wondering why I decided not to get cortisone there were a few factors. In the end there was just way more con than pro.

Pro(based on left hip outcome)
A week of 75% relief
A few weeks of 50% relief

Con(based on left hip outcome)
Can make cartilage deteriorate (especially considering I am only 17)
2 Days of a ton of pain
1 Day of crutches at school

The procedure itself was pretty similar to the last one but better, I even had the same radiologist. He was really nice both times. And he kind of made a joke about all the explanation because we both knew the deal. Little things like that just make a procedure that much easier to deal with(only if you have already had it done otherwise the explanation stuff is REALLY important), I swear I have had x-ray/MRI techs who know less than I do about what to expect.

On the pain side of things, I noticed the initial lidocaine shot burned more than last time, but it was really the worse part this time around, so I'll take it. I barely felt the BIG needle going in even when it entered the joint it wasn't that painful. The actual injection was less painful too, but I think that has to do with having just aesthetics injected and not cortisone as well, meaning less fluid in the joint. Also I could walk perfectly fine afterwards and had no pain immediately (and it had been a bad day for my right hip in the morning). So much better than my left hip injection experience!

Next it was off to the OS so he could test my pain. There was none when he tested! He said this was when he would usually talk about scheduling surgery but since there were clearly some systematic issues he wanted to see what my rheumatologist thought, so he sent her an e-mail. I also made an appointment for bilateral hip CT scan, since those are needed before surgery, so as soon as I get the go from the rheumy I will be prepared.

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