Knee Joint Injections

Your knees perform a number of essential tasks each and every day. Knee pain can throw a wrench in your normal routines, and brings many residents throughout  Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois to the care of the board-certified physicians at Commonwealth Pain & Spine. Knee joint injections can help get you back on your feet and back into the swing of life, so book a consultation by calling the office nearest you today. Commonwealth Pain & Spine has locations across Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois.

What causes knee pain?

Your knee is a hinge joint and among the largest joints in your body. It contains two bones, the femur, and tibia, as well as cartilage, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels. Damage or degeneration of any of these components can cause significant knee pain. 

Some of the more common causes of knee pain include:

• Fractures
• Torn ACL
• Torn meniscus
• Patellar tendinitis
• Knee bursitis
• Dislocated kneecap
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Iliotibial band syndrome

These are just some of the issues that can lead to knee pain. Finding relief begins with a thorough diagnostic exam at Commonwealth Pain & Spine to review treatment options such as injections or regenerative medicine.

What are knee joint injections?

Knee joint injections are a type of therapy the team at Commonwealth Pain & Spine uses to treat joint degeneration within your knee. One approach uses corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in your knee joint. The injection may also contain an anesthetic to lessen pain.

Another approach is called viscosupplementation. This treatment relies on a synthetic form of hyaluronic acid, a substance your body produces naturally. 

When the gel-like injection is placed within your knee joint, it incorporates into your natural hyaluronic acid to improve lubrication in the joint. These injections can also have anti-inflammatory and pain relief effects. 

Are knee joint injections painful?

You receive a topical anesthetic before the injection. You might feel a sensation of pressure or minor discomfort as the treatment needle moves into the joint. In some cases, your physician must remove a small amount of joint fluid to make room for the medication. 

The next step is delivering the medication into the joint space. Your physician then removes the needle and applies a bandage. Your knee might feel sore for a few days, but you quickly begin to see the effects of your treatment. 

How long will knee joint injections provide pain relief?

Steroid and viscosupplementation knee injections are not a permanent solution. That said, they can provide a few months of pain relief and improved joint function, allowing you to pursue other treatment options. 

Physical therapy can be easier to navigate with knee joint injections. In some cases, your body simply needs time to heal, and knee joint injections can relieve pain as that process moves forward. Some patients even use knee joint injections to achieve temporary pain relief as they prepare for knee surgery. 

 

If you have questions or concerns about the role knee joint injections might play in your treatment path, come in for a personalized consultation. Call Commonwealth Pain & Spine to check appointment availability.