Usually, after removing the excess joint fluid from the knee, your doctor will use the same puncture site to inject a corticosteroid preparation or anesthetic to further alleviate pain and inflammation. It is done to reduce swelling and pain in the knee. Platelet-rich plasma or PRP is obtained from your blood and may be used in an intra-articular injection of the knee joint to encourage tissue regeneration, reduce pain and improve function.Īrthrocentesis is a procedure where an excess joint fluid is removed with a needle that is inserted into the joint space. Corticosteroids prevent the production of inflammatory cells that are naturally produced in response to an acute injury or arthritic conditions. Your doctor may perform an intra-articular injection of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in the knee joint. Hyaluronic acid injections into the knee can help reduce pain and improve range of motion. With arthritis, this substance is largely deficient, leading to worsening of the condition. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the joints that provides lubrication and acts as a shock absorber. Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend an intra-articular injection of: There are various types of intra-articular injections. Intra-articular knee injections are usually recommended when the pain has not responded to traditional conservative treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, activity modification, or ice therapy. It can limit an individual’s lifestyle and negatively impact body image and emotional well-being.Īn intra-articular knee injection is a very effective form of treatment where medicine is delivered directly into the knee joint with the primary objective of relieving pain from conditions such as arthritis. Infection and bleeding are also very rare complications of this procedure.Knee pain and stiffness can be disabling and difficult to treat. If this occurs, contact your doctor immediately. In these cases, the knee may become full of fluid, red, warm, and painful. Rarely, patients may develop a local allergy-like reaction in the knee. You may want to apply an ice pack to help ease them. These symptoms generally do not last long. You may notice a local reaction, such as pain, warmth, and slight swelling immediately after the shot. Usually, the aspiration and the injection are done using only one needle injected into the joint, Some doctors may prefer to use two separate syringes.įor the first 48 hours after the shot, you should avoid excessive activity, such as jogging or heavy lifting. Several preparations of hyaluronic acid are now commercially available.ĭepending on the product used, you will receive one to five shots over several weeks.ĭuring the procedure, if there is any swelling in your knee, your doctor may remove (aspirate) the excess fluids before injecting the hyaluronic acid. Viscosupplementation was first used in Europe and Asia, and was approved by the U.S. Although some patients report pain relief with the procedure, some people are not helped by the injections. The most recent research, however, has not found viscosupplementation to be effective at significantly reducing pain or improving function. The theory is that adding hyaluronic acid to the arthritic joint will facilitate movement and reduce pain. People with osteoarthritis have a lower-than-normal concentration of hyaluronic acid in their joints. It acts as a lubricant to enable bones to move smoothly over each other and as a shock absorber for joint loads. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the synovial fluid surrounding joints. In this procedure, a gel-like fluid called hyaluronic acid is injected into the knee joint. If you have tried all other nonsurgical treatment methods and your pain continues to limit your activities, viscosupplementation may be an option. Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofenĪnother treatment option is a procedure called viscosupplementation.Your doctor may recommend a range of treatments, including: In its early stages, arthritis of the knee is treated with nonsurgical methods. Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are many treatment options available to help people manage pain and stay active. It develops slowly and the pain it causes worsens over time. Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States.
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