Knee pain can severely disrupt your daily activities, limiting your ability to walk, exercise, or even perform simple tasks. The pain may originate from various sources such as injury, arthritis, or overuse. To effectively manage knee pain, it’s crucial to determine its underlying cause so that an appropriate treatment plan can be developed. One potential management strategy is receiving an injection to alleviate knee pain.
Causes of Knee Pain
Knee pain often results from one of the following causes:
- Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear of the cartilage in the knee joint can lead to chronic pain, stiffness, and swelling.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune condition causing inflammation in the knee joints, resulting in pain and swelling.
- Tendinopathy: Inflammation of the tendons around the knee, often caused by overuse.
- Meniscus Tears: Injury to the knee’s cartilage can cause pain, swelling, and restricted movement.
- Ligament Injuries: Damage to the knee ligaments can result from sports injuries or accidents.
Our physio team can diagnose the specific cause of knee pain through a physical examination and, if necessary, additional imaging studies to establish an accurate treatment plan. Your assessment at PhysioEdge can include an ultrasound scan if required.
Knee Pain Injections
Cortisone Injections: These injections typically consist of a local anaesthetic and a corticosteroid. The local anaesthetic provides immediate pain relief, while the corticosteroid reduces inflammation and pain over time. This approach can be particularly effective in alleviating pain and improving the treatment experience.
Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis: Hyaluronic acid injections play a vital role in managing knee osteoarthritis pain and stiffness. This natural substance, found in joint fluid, acts as a lubricant and cushion, supporting joint health. Injecting hyaluronic acid into the knee joint reduces friction and pain while enhancing mobility, making it a valuable option for patients who haven’t responded to other treatments.
- An injection of sodium hyaluronate restores the lubricating, shock-absorbing and filtering properties of the synovial fluid in the joint.
- It re-establishes the protective coating over the inner surface of the joint and increases the scavenging of free radicals.
- As a result of these changes, the injection reduces inflammation of the synovial membrane.
The direct effects of these hyaluronic acid injections cannot account for its long-term benefits, as it is cleared from the joint within a few days. It appears that, through its direct effects, exogenous hyaluronan restores the ability of the joint to produce its own hyaluronan and thus returns it to a state of homeostasis (i.e. stable condition) that persists for several months. Evidence exists suggesting that exogenous hyaluronan may slow the destruction of cartilage
Benefits of Knee Pain Injections
- Rapid Pain Relief: The local anaesthetic in the injection provides quick pain relief, allowing patients to regain some use of their knee and resume regular activities.
- Reduced Inflammation: Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that can help in conditions such as arthritis and tendinitis, enhancing knee mobility and making daily tasks less painful.
- Delay or Avoid Surgery: Knee pain injections can be a safe alternative to surgery for many patients, allowing them to manage pain without the risks associated with surgical procedures.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
Although knee injections are generally safe, they carry some potential risks, including:
- Infection at the Injection Site: Rare but treatable with antibiotics.
- Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may have an allergic response to the injected solution.
- Bleeding or Bruising: Usually minor and resolves on its own.
- Increased Pain After Injection: Some patients may experience temporary aggravation of symptoms immediately after receiving the injection.
Ultrasound-Guided Knee Injections
This specialised procedure uses an ultrasound scanner to guide the needle for precise placement.
Procedure:
- An ultrasound transducer (probe) is used to image the internal structures of the knee and identify the target area.
- The needle is then guided to the exact location under ultrasound imaging.
- The flow of the injection can be observed in real-time, ensuring accuracy.
Advantages Over Traditional Techniques:
- Increased Accuracy: Ultrasound guidance improves the precision of medication delivery.
- Lower Complication Rates: Enhanced accuracy reduces the risk of complications.
- Better Outcomes: Patients often experience better results and greater satisfaction with the procedure.
Knee Pain Injections from Physio Edge
At Physio Edge, we specialise in providing advanced pain management solutions, including knee pain injections. We offer cortisone injections and intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections, tailored to reduce inflammation and enhance joint lubrication for improved mobility and pain relief. Using ultrasound-guided techniques ensures precision and effectiveness in treatment, helping you regain function and improve your quality of life. Bookings can be made directly with Gill, without a GP referral.
Conclusion
Knee pain injections can be highly beneficial for individuals suffering from knee pain. Whether traditional or ultrasound-guided, these injections provide rapid pain relief, reduce inflammation, and improve knee function, making daily activities more manageable. However, it’s essential to consult with one of our physiotherapy team to determine if this treatment is appropriate for you based on the cause and severity of your knee pain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are the common causes of knee pain? Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tendinopathy, meniscus tears, and ligament injuries.
- How is knee pain diagnosed? Our physiotherapy team will perform a physical exam which may include an ultrasound scan. We may refer you for an MRI if indicated.
- What types of knee pain injections are available at Physio Edge? Cortisone and hyaluronic acid injections.
- What are the benefits of knee pain injections? Rapid pain relief, reduced inflammation, improved mobility, and possible surgery avoidance.
- Are there risks or side effects? Possible risks include infection, allergic reactions, minor bleeding, and temporary pain increase.
- What is ultrasound-guided knee injection? A procedure using ultrasound to guide precise medication delivery.
- How is the procedure performed? Using ultrasound to locate the target area and guide the needle.
- What are the advantages of ultrasound-guided injections? Increased accuracy, lower complication rates, and better outcomes.
- Are knee pain injections suitable for everyone? Consult with Gill at either of our clinics.
- How can I get knee pain injections? Book an assessment with Gill
