How long after a Cortisone shot can one undergo a surgery?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had a Cortisone shot 10 days ago. It did not help. I will most likely be undergoing surgery for a hip arthroscopy and/or sports hernia. How long do I have to wait after the cortisone shot to have surgery to not risk infection? Also, I take 500 mg turmeric, a multivitamin, 2400 mg vitamin D and 1200 (900 mg omega 3) mg fish oil. How long before surgery should I stop taking those supplements?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

There are two schools of thought regarding the risk of infection in total knee/hip replacement after local steroid injections. As the causes of infection are multifactorial, results favoring both schools of thought are seen. Since you are only undergoing arthroscopy or hernia repair, the duration of surgery, soft tissue handling, the absence of prosthesis all favor very low risk of infection. You can continue turmeric, multivitamin, and fish oil until the day before your surgery. Vitamin D supplements should, however, be taken only after physician consultation and if the serum levels of vitamin D are normal, they should be discontinued. Excess Vitamin D intake can lead to hypervitaminosis D.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

If you have not done test for vitamin D level estimation, and have taken Vitamin D supplement for a month or two (from 2400 mg, I think you have taken over the counter supplements rather than prescribed therapeutic doses) you can safely stop them. If you have taken the supplements for less than a month, then you can take them till your surgery as they have vitamin D only till daily required intake values and risk of hypervitaminosis is with overdosage only. Once you get operated, your further treatment can be guided by your surgeon. These are the symptoms of hypervitaminosis Dwhich you should be aware of:

Fatigue.

Loss of appetite.

Weight loss.

Excessive thirst.

Excessive urination.

Dehydration.

Constipation.

Irritability.

Nervousness.

Tinnitus.

Muscle weakness.

Nausea.

Vomiting.

Dizziness.

Confusion.

Disorientation.

It is also advisable to stop them and take them only after consultation with your doctor in case you have a chronic illness like renal disease, heart disease, hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis and are on medication for them. Since from your query it appears that your only symptom is hip/groin pain, there is nothing to worry about above condition in your case. Wish you good health and speedy recovery from your planned surgery. Regards.