Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee begins when the cartilage breaks down in your knee and eventually results in bone and joint damage. Movement as simple as standing can trigger pain.
In time, however, these may cease to be effective, and your doctor may prescribe stronger medications, including occasional steroid injections.
Injections can be effective in relieving pain and decreasing inflammation, possibly for several months or sometimes even longer.
Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Knee
The injection technique for administering hyaluronic acid in the knee is called intra-articular injection. The term intra-articular injection refers to an injection given directly into the joint capsule.
This procedure is usually done in a doctor’s office and performed by an orthopedic physician. The injection procedure takes a few minutes and usually does not involve any prior preparation. It is however advisable to discuss the medical history and current medications with the doctor prior to this treatment.
Steroid injections
Steroid joint injections are medicines given into your joints to reduce inflammation, ease pain and allow your joint to move more easily. Your doctor may offer you a joint injection of a steroid medicine if you have a painful joint from arthritis, for example.
If you have a local anaesthetic, the pain in your joint will ease within a few minutes. Your joint may remain pain free for up to two hours, depending on which anaesthetic medicine was used. You may need pain relief to help with any discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off.
You’ll usually be able to go home when you feel ready. It’s best if a friend or family member can drive you home.
PRP injections for knees
Injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are a novel treatment for managing pain related to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The most common cause of arthritis in the knee is osteoarthritis. This condition is characterized by progressive wearing of the cartilage. As the cartilage is worn away, bone on bone is exposed leading to inflammation, pain, and swelling. Overall, lifestyle factors are the most effective treatments for osteoarthritis including exercise, weight loss, and diet. Moreover, surgery is considered a last resort.
Platelet-rich plasma or PRP is obtained from whole blood. The plasma contains a high concentration of platelets. Platelets have many growth factors that are released once injected into the target of a joint or tendon.
Genicular Nerve Block
The relatively new procedure genicular nerve block is done to treat knee pain. It is mainly done for the intractable pain of osteoarthritis where either surgery is not possible or, in some situations, when you still have severe pain after total knee replacement surgery.
The purpose of the genicular nerve block is to alleviate chronic knee pain and reduce the use of long-term painkillers.
In this procedure, some of the important nerves around the knee joint are blocked with a local anaesthetic with or without steroids, under ultrasound and X-ray guidance by the Doctor.