Knee Injections

Injections are used to treat symptoms, including pain and swelling, where either there is a desire to relieve them temporarily (whilst attempting other treatment) or where symptoms are not intrusive enough to warrant major surgery. Injections may also help to isolate knee pain when there are other potential pain sources.

The Procedure

 The injection is performed in the treatment room with the patient sat on the examination bed. Local anaesthetic may be used to numb the skin. The liquid is then injected into the knee (normally only taking a few seconds). It is rare to cause much bleeding but a plaster is normally applied. 
Most patients are aware of the needle entering the joint but this is usually only momentary. 
You will be advised to spend 15 minutes, in the clinic, after the injection to ensure you do not feel light-headed or unwell.

Steroid and Local Anaesthetic

Often the first choice, this combines a treatment for the pain (local anaesthetic) with a treatment for the swelling (the steroid). 
Most patients experience a benefit from the local anaesthetic and this commonly lasts for the rest of the day. Keeping a note of how the knee feels, during this time, is useful.
The steroid component may take upto a week to work and does so gradually. By reducing the inflammation, most patients experience pain relief also. 
The effect may last 3-6 months.

Hyaluronic Acid

This injection uses a substance, that is found in joints, to add some lubrication to the knee. The viscous liquid sits between the bones and reduces the pain caused by the rough surfaces rubbing. It may also help to limit the body's own response (continued swelling and pain). 
A mild reaction to the injection is common.
The response to this injection may last up to 1 year.
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