INJECTIONS

When your disease and knee pain progresses, your doctor may recommend corticosteroid or Hyaluronic Acid injections.

A corticosteroid is a synthetic form of cortisone, a hormone naturally produced by the body. When injected in high doses into the knee, it has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect and can provide fast pain relief. Steroid injections should only be used for short-term therapy, since the duration of their effects can vary and multiple injections can damage cartilage and connective tissue.

Viscosupplementation injections involve injecting the knee with a fluid called hyaluronic acid, which is a chemical found in healthy joint fluid. Hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant and shock absorber in your knee joint. Osteoarthritis of the knee can cause joint fluid to become less healthy and the cartilage begins to break down, which can lead to irritation, discomfort, soreness and swelling in the knee. Injectable hyaluronic acid is derived from rooster combs (the crown of feathers on a roosters head) or bacterial cultures. Hyaluronic acid injections provide anti-inflammatory relief, which means they can further ease knee pain and slow cartilage deterioration.