Knee pain can make everyday activities such as walking, exercise, or work difficult. While many turn to steroid injections such as cortisone shots, there are alternatives. Non-steroid injections for knee pain can provide relief from many causes of knee pain.
At Virgin Islands Neurology, our pain specialists can help you identify the cause of knee pain and provide appropriate treatment options to relieve your symptoms. Book your appointment today.
Non-steroidal injections do not contain corticosteroids. Instead, they work in different ways to reduce symptoms such as pain and inflammation. Some non-steroidal injections improve lubrication and movement. Others support the body’s natural healing processes.
Many people with osteoarthritis turn to knee injections before considering knee surgery. A pain specialist can evaluate your condition and recommend the right injection.
Some of the most popular and commonly used non-steroidal injections are hyaluronic acid injections, platelet-rich plasma injections, and prolotherapy injections. Many clinical research studies have shown these methods to be effective in treating knee pain and conditions such as knee osteoarthritis.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in your knee joint. It acts as a kind of lubricant and shock absorber.
People with osteoarthritis have less hyaluronic acid than normal. Therefore, the injections can help lubricate the knee joint, reducing friction and making movement smoother.
Treatment may involve a single injection or a series of injections depending on the condition of your knee.
Some patients can experience several months of pain relief with hyaluronic acid knee injections, and they can be repeated every 6 months.
PRP injections are made from your own blood. A sample of your blood is processed to create a high concentration of platelets. These platelets contain growth factors that stimulate healing and tissue regeneration inside your knee.
These types of injections can help patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. One injection may be enough for long-lasting or permanent pain relief.
It may take several weeks before you notice the effects of PRP injections.
Prolotherapy injections are made from a solution of sugar and water. The solution acts as an irritant inside the knee joint and promotes the body’s natural healing process.
Prolotherapy injections are usually given once a month over the course of three to four months. Some research suggests that prolotherapy can reduce pain in those who have osteoarthritis.
One of the primary benefits of non-steroid injections is that they do not have the same side effects as steroid injections. Steroid injections can cause thinning of bones and cartilage around the injection site, leading to further joint damage if administered too frequently or over an extended period of time.
Non-steroid injections can be useful to many patients with chronic knee pain or mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. In some cases, they can provide a non-surgical option that delays the need for knee replacement surgery. Injections can support physical therapy and other treatments as part of an overall treatment plan.
Non-steroidal injections for knee pain relief have a lower risk of side effects than steroid injections. Non-steroidal injections have the potential to cause the following side effects:
The most common side effect associated with non-steroidal knee injections is mild joint discomfort that subsides within a few days following the injection. Following the instructions of your medical provider and taking proper care before and after receiving a non-steroidal injection can help reduce any risks associated with treatment.
If you experience any serious side effects or long-lasting pain after receiving an injection, contact your medical provider immediately.
You don’t need to put up with persistent pain. Non-steroidal injections can provide effective pain relief for many patients with osteoarthritis. Contact our pain specialists at Virgin Islands Neurology today to see which injections can help you.
Non-steroid injections do not include corticosteroids. There are many different options, including hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma, and prolotherapy injections.
The duration a non-steroidal injection lasts varies by injection and the condition of the patient. For example, hyaluronic acid may provide relief up to six months, whereas PRP injections can achieve permanent pain relief in some cases.
Non-steroidal injections may cause some pain at the injection site and may continue for a short while after. However, the pain should go away after a few days.
Knee injections may help manage symptoms for some patients for a time. However, if there is significant joint damage, surgery may eventually be recommended.
