Knee Pain Treatment: Knee Injection

When should I consult a radiologist?

Any pain that persists from 6 weeks to go should prompt consultation of a radiologist.

How does hyaluronic acid infiltration help relieve knee pain?

Arthritis in the knee leads to a reduction in synovial fluid in the joint, as well as cartilage degradation. This contributes to the pain felt when moving the knee. Hyaluronic acid (HA) gel infiltration is a treatment option that can help replace lost lubrication and relieve joint pain. This treatment is known as viscosupplementation. Hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant for the knee joint, and intra-articular injections can restore the missing synovial fluid, providing better cushioning for the joint.

What's more, some studies suggest that hyaluronic acid may have chondroprotective properties, meaning it could slow the progression of arthritis by protecting cartilage. This represents a significant advantage, as cartilage preservation can contribute to a better quality of life for patients suffering from knee pain.

What are the side effects of Hyaluronic Acid gel infiltration?

With regard to side effects, the majority of patients may experience mild pain and swelling at the injection site, but these symptoms usually disappear on their own after a few days. In rare cases, around 1 % of patients may develop a more severe reaction known as "injection flare", manifested by an accumulation of fluid in the joint, leading to significant swelling and pain. In such cases, the healthcare professional may suction out the fluid to relieve discomfort.

Gel or cortisone infiltration?

Gel injections are often compared to cortisone injections, which are another commonly used option for knee pain relief. Gel injections may be preferable for people with health problems related to hypertension or high blood sugar, as cortisone injections can cause spikes in these levels. In addition, the potential side effects of corticosteroids are generally more severe than those of gel injections, although the latter also carry risks, particularly with repeated use.

It's important to note that cortisone injections generally work faster and more predictably to relieve pain, but their effect is short-lived, lasting only a few months. In contrast, although gel injections don't work for everyone and sometimes take a few weeks to take effect, their relief can last an average of six months, offering a valuable alternative for the management of gonalgia.

In short, knee infiltration with hyaluronic acid is a promising method of relieving joint pain, improving joint lubrication and protecting cartilage. Patients should discuss with their healthcare professional which treatment is best suited to their situation.

What tests does the doctor order for knee pain?

In general, the doctor proceeds with a clinical examination of your knee (there are maneuvers to be performed). Then, if necessary, he or she will order additional tests such as X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs and arthro scans...

What causes gonalgia?

The causes of sore knees are numerous. We can distinguish two categories of causes:

Mechanical causes of gonalgia :

•  The world of medical imaging has made significant strides in diagnosing and understanding the human body. As one of these technologies, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers detailed images of internal structures without requiring invasive procedures. In this article, we discuss the crucial role of lumbar spine MRI in diagnosing conditions affecting the lower back. meniscus degeneration age-related.
• Trauma: a fall or accident can cause a bone fracture or joint dislocation. This causes pain and limits joint mobility.
• Osteoarthritis of the knee. These causes give rise to mechanical pain: pain that increases with physical effort and decreases at rest.

Knee inflammation: 

• Inflammatory diseases: Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis...
• Rheumatism related drop. Gout is a disease in which a deposit of uric acid crystals accumulate in jointsdue to high uric acid levels in the blood. Insufficient elimination of uric acid by the kidneys is the most common cause of high blood uric acid levels. In general, blood uric acid levels are too high when the kidneys are unable to eliminate enough uric acid in the urine. Genes play an important role in this tendency
• Tendinitis inflammation of the tendon
• Bursitis inflammation of the bursa. The scholarship The bursa is a small, fluid-filled pocket that can be located under a tendon, providing cushioning and protecting it from damage. The bursa provides a additional damping to adjacent structures which would otherwise rub against each other, leading to wear and tear, for example, between a bone and a ligament.
• Infectious diseases

These causes lead to inflammatory pain: Knee pain at rest and especially at night (nocturnal pain).

In addition, other diseases can affect the knee:

• Paget's disease: a disease that causes deformities.
• Osgood-schlatter disease: inflammatory disease that causes fragmentation of the bony lump in the knee.

What are the symptoms of knee pain?

Several symptoms may accompany knee pain :

• Oedema
• Redness
• Limitation of joint motility.
• Cracking in the knee
• Heat

What can help with gonalgia?

For local relief, you can use an ice pack. It can reduce pain. You can also lather your knee with olive oil. Olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties. Rest is also an important strategy for reducing pain. If necessary, your doctor can prescribe analgesic and anti-inflammatory treatment.

Last update: November 1, 2024
Controlled by Dr David Petrover