What are Knee Joint Injections?
There are many options for knee joint injections. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Hyaluronic acid – A gel-like fluid that is a thick substance that acts like the fluid that cushions your joints and helps reduce swelling and pain
- Injections of concentrated sugar water, known as dextrose – Used in prolotherapy to ease pain in joints, ligaments, and tendons
- Orthobiologics – Also known as “regenerative medicine,” and is a newer category of injectables made from your own blood or tissue used to help the injury heal quickly
Knee Joint FAQs
What can I do Along with Knee Joint Injections to Help with Pain?
In severe cases, knee surgery, injections, medications, and other treatments can help, but it is strongly recommended that you use these treatments along with lifestyle changes that can help your joint health. Here’s what you can do:
- Managing your weight, because extra weight puts pressure on your joints
- Exercising to keep your knee muscles strong
- Managing your weight, because extra weight puts pressure on your joints
- Exercising to keep your knee muscles strong
- Choosing low-impact activities, like water exercise
- Using heat and cold pads to relieve pain and inflammation
- Using a knee brace or Kinesio tape to support your knee
- Doing yoga, or other activities that make you more flexible and help you relax
- Getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and getting physical or occupational therapy to help you deal with the challenges of knee pain
When are Knee Joint Injections Needed?
Knee joint injections are and can be used for many reasons. These can include the following:
- Reduce knee pain due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and bursitis
- By injecting a dye that helps show where the pain is on an X-ray, injections can be used to help find the cause of knee pain
- Injections can also be used to give medications directly to the knee joint, such as hyaluronic acid, which can help keep the joint lubricated and reduce pain
How Long do Knee Injections Last?
The most important question is how long knee injections work for people who need them. Most of the time, corticosteroids can help ease the pain when they are injected. The pain is worse in the first few weeks, however, most people feel less pain and can move around better after a few months, often up to six months.
There is no evidence that knee injections will help for long-term use. They are typically used to help temporarily relieve symptoms, which means the pain may come back after 6 to 8 months when the effect of the shot has worn off.
Knee Joint Injections in South Carolina
Here at CONA, our knee experts are ready to help you find relief for your knee pain, ranging from knee arthritis to knee fractures. We provide many treatment options specialized to each of our patients. If you are struggling with knee pain, reach out to us today to schedule an appointment at a location convenient for you.
Need an appointment?
Fill out our appointment request form or call our office directly at 864-583-CONA. For sudden or urgent injuries and pain, visit our Orthopedic Urgent Care in Greenville and Spartanburg.