In this article we will discuss different types of injections as options for knee pain relief, briefly explain the reasons to use them and ways they work in human bodies. This information will help you with understanding your own body and communicating better with your therapist.
This article is only informative, and it doesn’t offer practical personal recommendations.
When should you consider knee injections?
If you are reading this article, you are probably struggling with one of the frequent knee joint diseases. However, names and different types of knee injections work efficiently against them. Here are the most popular medical cases for considering hyaluronic acid injections to knees.
- Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs like corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid can help reduce knee osteoarthritis pain and inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
- Tendonitis or bursitis. Similar therapy is frequently recommended to reduce inflammation and pain in the tendons or bursae around the knee and other joints.
- Injuries. When your knee is mechanically damaged (meniscus tear, etc.), shots help with managing pain and inflammation during the recovery process. Patients with knee injuries are usually advised to consult a sports medicine professional.
- Cartilage damage. Methods like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cells help to restore damaged cartilage.
What are the different types of knee injections?
Frei Medical Supply experts have carefully created this list with detailed explanations. Please discuss preferred types of injections for knees with your therapist to select the most suitable one and help you with joint care.
Hyaluronic Acid Gel Injections
Hyaluronic acid (HA) gel knee injections, also known as viscosupplements, involve injecting a highly viscous fluid into the knee joint. Here’s what to expect, along with the pros and cons.
What to Expect When Getting HA Knee Injections
- Procedure. A therapist cleans the knee with antiseptic and puts a local anesthetic to reduce discomfort. Then a syringe is inserted to the needed place.
- Number of injections. A typical healing course involves a series of shots, usually given once a week or as recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Post-Injection. After the procedure, you may experience temporary discomfort, swelling, or warmth in the knee area. Doctors often recommend avoiding strenuous activities for a few weeks to recover.
How Long Do Hyaluronic Knee Injections Last?
The duration of improvement from hyaluronic acid injections varies among individuals. Some people experience relief for several months, while others forget about joint problems for a year or more. It also depends on the amount and concentration of the active substance. In some cases, repeating doses is necessary to maintain the effects.
Pros of HA Knee Injections
- Pain Relief. They can help reduce pain and improve knee function for osteoarthritis or other damaged knee cases.
- Minimally Invasive. Compared to surgical options, hyaluronan injections are minimally invasive and generally have fewer risks.
- Improved Mobility. Many patients report improved joint mobility and flexibility following these procedures.
Cons of HA Knee Injections
- Temporary Relief. The effects are temporary, and some patients do not experience significant or long term pain relieving.
- Potential Side Effects. While uncommon, potential side effects include swelling, redness, or pain, or allergic reactions. However, the most innovative medicines contain only non-allergenic, non-animal components.
- Variable Results. Not all patients respond equally to various types of drugs and hyaluronic acid concentrations. Some find significant symptomatic reduction, while others face minimal improvement.
On the other side, there are multiple options with various hyaluronic acid concentrations and types. For example, a Frei catalog includes Renehavis. This lubricant involves two types of HA to enhance the efficiency. You can search for certain types of knee injections in our catalog.
Steroid Injections (Cortisone Shots)
The best steroid injections for knees, commonly known as cortisone shots, involve injecting a corticosteroid medication into the joint to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Here’s what to expect, along with the pros and cons.
What to Expect When Getting Steroid Injections
- Procedure. Similar to the gel type, the procedure is often performed in a doctor’s office or clinic. The area around the knee is cleaned, and sometimes a local anesthetic might be used to minimize discomfort.
- Number of Injections. Typically, a single cortisone dose is administered. In some cases, a patient takes a series of shots, usually spaced apart by a few weeks.
- Post-Injection. Patients report about a temporary increase in pain for a day or two following the operation, followed by pain relief as the corticosteroid takes effect. Doctors advise avoiding strenuous activities for a short recovery period.
How Long Do Steroid Knee Injections Last?
The way these injections work for knee pain depends on each patient. Some people report significant improvements for several weeks to a few months, while others find relief lasting longer. You should repeat injections for treating knee to achieve prolonged positive effect.
Pros of Cortisone Shots
- Quick Relief. Better corticosteroid knee injections often provide rapid release from pain and inflammation, which can be beneficial for conditions like knee arthritis or mechanical injuries.
- Non-Invasive. Intra-articular invasions are a way for managing knee pain and inflammation without surgery.
- Reduced Inflammation. Corticosteroids are effective among inflammation, significantly improving knee function and mobility.
Cons of Cortisone Shots
- Temporary Relief. The knee pain lessening from cortisone shots is temporary, and the effects wear off over time. As all other types, cortisone requires additional injections.
- Potential Side Effects. While uncommon, possible side effects include temporary pain at the minor operation site, a temporary increase in pain, infection, or skin changes. All of these reactions don’t last long normally.
- Limited Frequency. Due to potential side effects, a patient should receive only a limited number of cortisone shots in a specific timeframe.
- Cartilage Damage (in excess). Prolonged or frequent use of knee cortisone injections can potentially lead to cartilage damage in the knee joint.
Platelet-rich Plasma Injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections involve using a concentrated form of a patient’s own blood platelets to promote healing and tissue regeneration. Here’s an overview of PRP therapy.
What to Expect When Getting Platelet-rich Plasma Injections
- Procedure. During a PRP injection, a small sample of your blood is taken and processed to separate the platelets using a centrifuge. The concentrated platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the knee joint.
- Number of Injections. Typically, a series of shots are administered, spaced apart over several weeks, depending on the severity of the condition and the recommendation of your healthcare provider.
- Post-Injection. You will face mild discomfort and pain. Therapists usually advise limiting certain activities to help the joint recover faster.
How Long Do Platelet-rich Plasma Injections Last?
The duration of relief from PRP injections varies from several months to over a year. It depends on the severity of disease and the patient’s state.
Pros of Platelet-rich Plasma Injections
- Natural Healing. PRP uses the patient’s own blood, harnessing the body’s natural healing abilities to stimulate tissue repair and regeneration.
- Potential for Long-lasting Relief. Some individuals experience prolonged knee pain release and improvement in joint function after PRP therapy.
- Reduced Risk of Rejection or Allergic Reactions. Since PRP is derived from the patient’s blood, the risk of allergic reactions or rejection is minimal.
Cons of Platelet-rich Plasma Injections
- Cost. PRP shots can be more expensive compared to other treatments, and insurance coverage varies.
- Limited Scientific Consensus. While many studies suggest potential benefits, there’s ongoing research to establish ideal protocols for PRP treatments to be effective for knee pain. Some people call it placebo, but other studies show efficiency.
- Temporary Discomfort. Some patients have mild discomfort or soreness but it goes away soon.
Before considering PRP, it’s important to discuss the procedure, potential benefits, risks, and expected outcomes with your healthcare provider. They can provide personalized guidance based on your specific condition and medical history.
Autologous Conditioned Serum Injections
Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS) method involves using a patient’s own blood to create a serum that’s later injected into the affected joint.
What to Expect When Getting ACS Injections
- Procedure. ACS healing is a multi-step process. Blood is drawn from the patient and then processed to create the autologous conditioned serum. This serum, which contains anti-inflammatory proteins, is then injected into the affected knee joint.
- Number of Injections. Typically, a patient has a few procedures, often once a week for several weeks. The exact number depends on the severity of the damage and the individual’s response to the treatment.
- Post-Injection. Mild soreness or discomfort normally occur, but it subsides quickly. Doctors recommend limiting activities for a short period to recover better.
How Long Do ACS Injections Last?
The duration of knee pain relief and improvement in joint function after ACS procedures depends on patient’s body specifics. Some experience easing for several months, while others have longer-lasting benefits. Additional shots will provide you with sustained effects.
Pros of ACS Injections
- Natural Healing. Similar to other autologous therapies, ACS uses the patient’s own blood components to promote healing and reduce inflammation in the knee joint.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties. The serum contains anti-inflammatory proteins that aim to reduce inflammation and potentially alleviate knee pain.
- Minimal Risk of Allergic Reactions. Since ACS is derived from the patient’s own blood, the risk of allergic reactions or rejection is minimal.
Cons of ACS Injections
- Limited Scientific Consensus. While some studies suggest potential benefits, there is still not so much extensive research on ACS compared to more traditional treatments.
- Temporary Discomfort. Individuals usually feel mild discomfort or soreness following the procedure. As always, it is a short term effect.
As with any medical treatment, it’s important to discuss the procedure, potential benefits, risks, and expected outcomes of ACS with your healthcare provider.
Stem Cell Injections
Stem cell injections for knees involve using stem cells, often derived from the patient’s own bone marrow or adipose tissue (fat), to promote tissue repair and regeneration within the knee joint.
What to Expect When Getting Stem Cell Injections
- Procedure. Stem cell joint therapy often involves harvesting stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow or fat tissue, usually from the hip or abdomen. The harvested cells are then concentrated and injected into the knee joint.
- Number of Injections. The number of shots depends on the specific treatment plan recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Post-Injection. After the procedure, mild soreness or discomfort appear normally. Doctors recommend limiting certain activities for a brief period of recovery.
How Long Do Stem Cell Injections Last?
The duration of pain relief and improvement in knee function following stem cell injections knee therapy is not the same among people. Some experience gradual improvement over several weeks to months, and the effects might last for an extended period up to a year. Some more procedures after that period help to enhance the result.
Pros of Stem Cell Injections
- Tissue Regeneration. Stem cells have the potential to promote tissue repair and regeneration, aiding in healing damaged structures within the knee joint.
- Natural Healing. Using the patient’s own stem cells reduces the risk of rejection or adverse reactions.
- Potential Long-term Benefits. Many people report about continuous pain relief and improvement in knee function after stem cell therapy.
Cons of Stem Cell Injections
- Limited Scientific Consensus. While there’s promising clinical research, there’s ongoing study and debate about the efficacy and ideal protocols for stem cell treatments.
- Cost. Good stem cell therapy can be costly, and insurance coverage might vary.
As with any medical treatment of knee, discussing different injections, potential benefits, risks, and expected outcomes of stem cell therapy with your healthcare provider is crucial. They can offer personalized guidance based on your specific body statement and medical history.
Summary
If you want to find the best injections work for knee pain, you certainly should discuss it with your therapist. Every person’s body is unique and each one reacts individually to the same type of joint medicine. Your therapist will analyze your case deeply and offer you a solution depending on your age, disease, and other important factors.
Keep reading Frei blog for more information about health and cosmetology basics. We provide explanations simply and professionally to improve the quality of your life.
