For certain types of joint conditions, such as arthritis, oral pain medications may not be enough to control symptoms. In these cases, a doctor may suggest having an injection for pain. Knee injections are designed to decrease swelling or to increase lubrication in the knee joint. Knee injections can reduce pain in some people, however, they are not effective for everyone.
Types of Knee Conditions
Knee pain can be caused by a number of conditions, including arthritis, tendon damage and systemic disorders such as lupus. While a knee injection may not be appropriate for all types of knee pain, some common knee conditions may be helped by the procedure. According to the Mayo Clinic, these include rheumatoid arthritis, myofascial pain syndrome, osteoarthritis, gout and tendonitis.
Considerations for Injections
In most cases, a doctor does not immediately recommend an injection for knee pain. Instead, the first line of defense is often more conservative and may include pain-relieving medications, physical therapy or supportive bracing. If these treatments fail to significantly relieve knee pain, injections may be the next step. However, the Mayo Clinic reports that the decision to use a knee injection may depend on the condition of the knee joint.
Types of Injections
The Mayo Clinic lists the two main types of knee injections as corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid. Corticosteroids, such as the steroid cortisone or hydrocortisone, can reduce both pain and swelling when injected into the knee joint. The exact way hyaluronic acid works, however, is more of a mystery. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can also control pain and reduce swelling. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in healthy joints and is also thought to aid joint lubrication, which may contribute to its effect as a pain-relieving injection.
The Process
A knee injection is most often performed as an outpatient procedure in a doctor's office. The doctor simply preps the skin and performs the injection; the entire process does not take long. Corticosteroid shots may be a one-time treatment or given as a series of shots over the course of several months; however, most doctors will only perform a set amount of treatments before opting for the next course of action. Hyaluronic acid shots, according to the Mayo Clinic, are generally performed as a series.
After the Injection
The injection site may be sore for the first day or two. The Mayo Clinic recommends icing the injection site to reduce this discomfort, which is perfectly normal. If swelling or redness persists for more than a few days, it could be a sign of an infection. Relief from a corticosteroid shot is often quick, as early as a day or two following the injection. However, a corticosteroid injection does not always provide long-term pain relief. Hyaluronic acid injections, alternatively, can take up to several months to be effective. If knee injections fail to relieve pain, the next step may be surgery.
