We might not be able to get you out of household chores but here are the top 5 things to do to maximise your aftercare.
Aftercare advice is often overlooked but we want to make sure you give yourself every opportunity to maximise the benefits of the steroid injection.
- REST – for joints we ask for 2 days rest and soft tissues such as trigger fingers 2 weeks. This doesn’t mean a full pass to put your feet up! We call it relative rest, meaning nothing excessive. For example, after your appointment at the Chesterfield clinic, no long drives into the Peak District in Derbyshire or shopping in Chesterfield town centre! This is to allow the medication to stay where it needs to be and work without any risk of damage.
- Medication – continue with prescribed medication from the GP as required. It takes time for the steroid to work so carry on with pain relief as instructed from your GP/pharmacist.
- Restart exercises – after rest and pain reduces use that opportunity to restart your strengthening and mobility exercises to restore function and prevent further issues.
- Eat and drink well – you are what you eat! As your body is healing, give it the right fuel!
- Think about activity going forward – get advice from your therapist about activity to return to and things to limit. Maybe trampolining with an Osteoarthritic knee isn’t the best sport to take up at 55!