Knee Injection For Osteoarthritis | Hyaluronic Acid vs Corticosteroid Injections
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Osteoarthritis(OA) can be a painful and debilitating disease mainly affecting weight-bearing joints like knees. It can significantly affect movement and quality of life, leaving many searching for effective treatment options. One such treatment that often comes up is a knee injection for osteoarthritis.
One key question often asked is: Can a knee injection for osteoarthritis provide relief? The answer is a resounding “yes.” But how does it work, and is it effective for everyone?
This guide will explore the efficacy of various knee injections for osteoarthritis and how they work so you can make informed decisions for yourself.
How Do Knee Injections For Osteoarthritis Work?
A knee injection for osteoarthritis aims to relieve pain by either lubricating the joint or lowering inflammation. Basically, osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in your knee joint to degrade, resulting in pain, stiffness, and inflammation. This damage frequently impairs movement and makes regular tasks such as walking or climbing stairs exceedingly painful.
The injection is given directly into the intra-articular space, specifically targeting the site where cartilage degradation and inflammation occur. Injections work in different ways. Some offer a cushioning effect, while others relieve inflammation. Let’s go into the specifics.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections
If you are a skincare enthusiast, you must have heard the name hyaluronic acid. This naturally occurring substance is not only good for glowing skin but is also present in our joints. It functions as a lubricant and shock absorber, allowing for seamless movements.
In persons with osteoarthritis, hyaluronic acid levels drop, reducing the joint’s capacity to cushion the bones.
Hyaluronic acid injections,(1) also regarded as gel knee injections, are intended to restore lost fluid, allowing the knee joint to move more smoothly. By injecting this naturally occurring substance directly into the joint, it serves as a temporary substitute for the deteriorated natural synovial fluid, enhancing mobility and relieving pain.
Common brand names are Synvisc, Euflexxa, and Hyalgan.
Effectiveness
Hyaluronic acid injections for osteoarthritis are commonly administered a week apart. Your doctors might recommend one to five injections in a succession spanning a week.(2) Patients usually report improvement of symptoms within a month. Effects can last up to 6 months.
Also, avoid intense workouts for two days after receiving this injection
Side Effects
There are no usual side effects except for slight joint swelling. Also, you cannot get this viscosupplementation if you have any coagulation disorder like hemophilia, chicken or poultry allergy, or any infection around your knees.
Pros
- It is non-invasive and helps reduce pain without
- Hyaluronic acid restores the natural fluidity of
- Relief can last up to six months or
Cons
- It may take a few weeks for the effects to kick making it less ideal for those seeking immediate pain relief.
- Not everyone responds well to hyaluronic acid knee injections for
Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid knee injection for osteoarthritis, on the other hand, functions differently. These injections contain potent anti-inflammatory properties that rapidly decrease inflammation in the joint. Unlike hyaluronic acid injections for osteoarthritis, corticosteroid functions as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent.
Effectiveness
Corticosteroids are frequently used when inflammation is the major culprit of pain, and they offer immediate relief. Many patients report improvements within a few days of receiving an injection, making them an excellent choice for short-term pain treatment.(3) However, the effects often last just a few months, and further injections can be necessary.
Side Effects
Although it provides quick results, it also comes with dangerous side effects like temporary joint pain, swelling, and redness after injection. Frequent use can weaken cartilage, accelerate joint degeneration, and increase the risk of infection( as it inhibits inflammatory markers, which are helpful in eradicating harmful bacteria), whitening or thinning of the skin, or tendon rupture. Therefore, many doctors taper it off after three to four months.
Pros
- Patients often feel relief within 24 to 48
- Corticosteroid injections target inflammation, which is a key factor in osteoarthritis
Cons
- The effects typically wear off in a few
- It has serious side effects that can weaken cartilage and lead to further joint degeneration.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections vs Corticosteroid Injection: Which One Is Better?
The decision between hyaluronic acid knee injection for osteoarthritis and corticosteroid injection for knee pain is based on your specific needs and medical condition like people suffering from HIV cannot take steroid injections.
Corticosteroids can be the ideal fit for you if you need quick pain relief and are willing to have recurrent injections. However, if you want a treatment with few side effects and long-lasting effects, gel knee injections can be a better option.
It is also worth mentioning that some people can benefit from a combination of medications, such as steroids for acute relief or flare-ups, followed by hyaluronic acid injections for long-term management.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
Another emerging option for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee is Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.(4) PRP has growth factors that help repair damaged tissue and reduce inflammation.
PRP involves sampling a small amount of blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and injecting it back into the knee joint. However, PRP is an off-label treatment for knee osteoarthritis.
Pros
- It is a more natural way to treat
- It helps in mobility and range of
- As it is a natural treatment, side effects are less
Cons
- It is not readily available in all clinics
- PRP treatment is often more costly than other injection
- More studies are needed to support its (5)
Are Knee Injections Right For You?
Your doctor will evaluate your disease’s severity, general health, and response to previous therapies. However, the first line of defense is over-the-counter medications and NSAIDs.
Hyaluronic acid injections or PRP treatment can give extended relief with early or mild osteoarthritis. However, corticosteroids may be more suited for those having severe pain and inflammation.(6)
Conclusion
Knee injections have become a popular treatment option for those suffering from osteoarthritis. Whether you are considering hyaluronic acid or corticosteroid injections, these treatments provide a non-surgical way to relieve pain and enhance mobility.
Knee injections can be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. But before deciding on the best knee injection for osteoarthritis, consult with your doctor about the advantages and adverse effects.
References
- David Zelman, (2023). Hyaluronan Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis. Retrieved from WebMD:
https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/hyaluronan-injections-knee - (2021). Hyaluronan Injections. Retrieved from Versus Arthritis:
https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/hyaluronan-injections/ - Baker, J. F. (2023). Corticosteroid Injections for Symptomatic Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Pilot Blinded Randomized Trial.
ACR Open Rheumatol. - (2020). Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for Knee Osteoarthritis Technology Overview. Retrieved from AAOS:
https://www.aaos.org/globalassets/quality-and-practice-resources/biologics/technology-overview_prp-for-knee-oa.pdf - Eric Metcalf, (2022). Injectable Medications for Knee Osteoarthritis. Retrieved from WebMD:
https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/features/injections-for-osteoarthritis-pain - NYU Langone. (2020). Therapeutic Injections for Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Retrieved from NYU Langone:
https://nyulangone.org/conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-knee/treatments/therapeutic-injections-for-osteoarthritis-of-the-knee