Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injections For Knee Pain
In some cases, patients with knee osteoarthritis and other conditions can find temporary relief with intra-articular corticosteroid injections. Pain relief with these injections lasts for one or two weeks and should not be administered more than once every three months. Alternatively, they can also use hyaluronic acid intra-articular injections, and some doctors use this option before even trying corticosteroids.
Hyaluronic acid intra-articular injections can be very effective in some cases, but there is limited evidence about their use. Hyaluronic acid is a chemical found naturally in human tissues and connective tissue. It lubricates joints and protects cartilage. When injected into a joint, hyaluronic acid relieves pain and reduces inflammation.
Intra-articular corticosteroid injections can be used to treat people who have chronic inflammation of the cartilage in their knees. What corticosteroid injections do is reduce inflammation, which relieves pain. These injections can help you improve your physical activity, which can make a difference in your life.
The doctor performs the procedure in a medical office. They inject hyaluronic acid directly into the affected area or corticosteroid using a needle. The procedure lasts between 10 and 20 minutes and is often guided by an ultrasound scan or another imaging technique to ensure that the drugs are injected into the correct knee compartment.