How Do Knee Joint Injections Help Relieve Knee Pain?

Osteoarthritis is arthritis that occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time. It causes the bones to rub against each other, leading to pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving. Osteoarthritis is a common condition that often affects the joints in the hands, knees, hips, and spine.

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition that often occurs with age but can also be caused by injury or overuse. There is no cure for knee osteoarthritis, but there are treatments that can help manage the pain and improve mobility. A common treatment is knee joint injections.

How Do Knee Injections Help?

Knee injections can help manage knee pain caused by various conditions. They can provide temporary relief from pain and inflammation. They are often combined with other treatments, to help manage knee pain. Speaking with a healthcare provider to determine if knee injections are appropriate for you is important. It is also important to discuss the potential risks and benefits.

Types of Knee Injections for Pain Relief

Corticosteroid

Corticosteroid injections contain a powerful anti-inflammatory medication that reduces swelling and irritation in the joint. The injection is typically given directly into the affected joint using a thin needle. 

Corticosteroid injections can relieve pain and inflammation for several weeks or months. However, they are not a permanent solution, and the pain and inflammation may return once the effects of the injection wear off.

Hyaluronic Injections

Hyaluronic acid injections help manage knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. They contain a substance like the natural lubricating fluid in the knee joint. The injection is typically given directly into the affected joint using a thin needle. The procedure is quick and painless.

Hyaluronic acid injections can relieve pain and improve mobility by lubricating the joint. The effects of the injections can last for several weeks or months.

Platelet-rich Plasma Injections

Platelet-rich plasma injections help manage knee pain caused by various conditions. PRP injections contain a concentration of platelets, cells that help with blood clotting and tissue repair. They are thought to stimulate the body's natural healing process, improve function in the affected joint, and reduce pain.

The procedure involves drawing a small amount of blood from the patient. It is then placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the other blood cells. The concentrated platelets are injected into the affected area using a thin needle. The effects of the injections can last for several weeks or months.

Placental Tissue Matrix Injections

Placental tissue matrix injections are a type of injection that is made from donated placental tissue. The placental tissue contains growth factors and other substances. These may stimulate the body's natural healing process, improve function, and reduce pain.

The procedure is usually quick and painless. Most people can return to normal activities immediately afterward. The effects of the injections can last for several weeks or months.

For more on how knee joint injections help relieve knee pain, visit Alicja Steiner, MD, APC, at our San Diego, California office. Call (619) 304-1539 to book an appointment today.