and viscosupplementation showing strong evidence of not being effective.
Before receiving a cortisone injection, the area around the injection site will be cleaned.
Your healthcare provider may administer a local anesthetic to numb the area for the injection.
“File:Injection-knee-ama-regenerative-medicine.jpg"by[Alice Pien, MD]is licensed underCC BY-SA 4.0
In some cases, your healthcare provider may use an ultrasound to observe and direct the needle placement.
The medication is released directly into the knee at the injection site.
Cortisone injections may cause side effects, particularly when used repeatedly.
Most are minor and go away with time.
However, if you are experiencing persistent or increasingly intense side effects, speak with your healthcare provider.
Patients should not receive more than three to four cortisone injections per year.
Anytime a needle is injected into the skin, there is a chance of infection.
An antiseptic will be applied to the skin prior to injection to reduce the risk of infection.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid injectionshave been used to help reduce the joint pain resulting from arthritis.
Viscosupplementation delivers lubricating fluid directly into the knee joint to provide temporary relief of knee pain and inflammation.
Hyaluronic acid injections help improve knee function, and may even slow the progression of the disease.
Then, a local anesthetic will be applied (topically or injected) to prevent discomfort during the procedure.
Your healthcare provider will inject the hyaluronic acid into the affected joint.
Many patients are advised to place ice on the injection site afterward to reduce pain and swelling.
If your side effects are persistent or progressively worsen, seek medical attention.
Fewer treatments may be required, depending on the individual and severity of their condition.
Because of the healing process, it may take up to a few weeks to experience full relief.
Prolotherapy injections are generally safe and come with few risks.
Stem cell injections and PRP are not standard practice, and the formula concentrations are not standardized.
This includes over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, vitamins, and prescription medications.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery.Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.
National Health Service.Steroid injections.
2013;65(6 Suppl):S59-61.
2014;38(6):805-811. doi:10.5535/arm.2014.38.6.805
Cleveland Clinic.Sodium hyaluronate intra-articular injection.
2017;7(5):e14470.
2018;21(3):229-242.
2020;72(2):149-162. doi:10.1002/acr.24131
