Knee Injections West Chester, PA

People who struggle from chronic knee pain due to a disease, injury, accident or other condition can take advantage of a variety of treatments. There are many types of issues that could affect the knee, causing pain, limited flexibility and restricted range of motion. When knee pain is not treated in time, it can lead to more serious issues later on. Thankfully, advanced treatment options for conditions like osteoarthritis have been able to provide many patients with long-term relief. One of the most common treatment options used to manage osteoarthritis is knee injections in West Chester, PA at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania. As osteoarthritis breaks down cartilage, pain, joint damage, and bone damage result. Knee injections may be an effective way to manage pain that doesn’t require patients to take over-the-counter medications and/or prescription pain medications.

Due to the risks associated with traditional forms of treatment, like medications and surgery, knee injections are a great alternative for patients who want to avoid those treatment options. Given the number of interactions that medications can cause, risk of dependency, and the long-term organ damage that some pain medications can trigger, knee injections may serve as an effective, site-specific, low-risk way of managing the pain that often accompanies osteoarthritis. Patients have reported seeing almost immediate results from injections, such as minimal or reduced pain and improved functionality. Learn what types of benefits knee injections can have for you by talking to a trained knee pain doctor. 

Knee Injections – What You Need to Know

Though knee injections are becoming increasingly popular among patients, it’s important to recognize the distinctions between various ones. Not all knee injections are created equal. Some are better suited for patients with specific medical conditions.. There are a variety of options available to patients struggling with pain and inflammation as a result of their arthritic conditions. Depending on the kind of injection that is right for you, you could experience months of relief from pain and inflammation in your affected knee(s). Most of the time, injections are given in our offices, as the procedures are low-risk and only take a few minutes to administer. Before you consent to any new treatment that you have not tried, discuss your condition and potential treatment options with a doctor. They will tell you if taking the injection will produce the most promising results.

Although you may experience some discomfort during the shot, it should be temporary. Know that we’ll almost certainly use an ultrasound to precisely place the injection site to better ensure the best possible results from the treatment. This allows us to get a better view of the injection path and achieve the most accurate results. Targeted injections are much better than “blind” injections, which may not hit the desired area in the knee. Depending on your unique circumstances, we may also need to remove fluid from your knee to relieve pressure in an effort to make the injection treatment as effective as possible. We will explain to you everything that we will do before and after the procedure to ensure that the injection can be administered safely and efficiently. 

Recovery from knee injections is usually quite straightforward. We may advise you to “take it easy” for 24 hours, which means no strenuous activity, swimming, hot tubs, etc. during this time. Get plenty of rest and limit the use of your knee. You may be advised that taking a recommended dose of over the counter pain medication will help you to manage any injection-related discomfort. Should you experience significant swelling, discoloration, redness, or other signs of an allergic reaction, you’ll want to seek medical attention promptly. Let your doctor know about any side effects that you experience following the procedure. 

What Are the Different Types of Knee Injections? 

There are different types of knee injections. The most common type of intra-articular knee injection is corticosteroids. Other agents used are hyaluronic acid, infliximab, Botox (botulinum neurotoxin), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Knee pain and stiffness can be debilitating and difficult to treat. Knee conditions may negatively affect the quality of life and emotional wellbeing. Weight management, exercise, physiotherapy, medications, knee injections, and surgery are some of the approaches used to treat knee pain. 

Knee pain can result from ligament or tendon injury, fracture, cartilage loss in osteoarthritis, and inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory arthritis or septic arthritis. Knee pain can also be due to joint malalignment or dysfunction and referred pain from other areas. Diseases of the knee can be diagnosed based on:

• Clinical presentation
• Radiographic tests and
• Joint aspiration (arthrocentesis)

Why is knee injection done?

Knee injection is performed to treat the pain arising from various diseases of the knee joint. A doctor will examine the knee and determine the source of the pain, like whether it’s coming from a ligament tear, inflammation, or other cause. The type of medication injected and the frequency depends on the condition being treated. Based on the diagnosis and extent of the disease, the doctor would recommend a treatment plan. Indications for the various agents used for knee injections are as mentioned below. Injections directly treat the issue in a targeted area in the knee, and are able to provide instant pain relief for a longer period of time. 

Steroid injections

Steroid injections help to improve function, relieve pain and inflammation in individuals with: Osteoarthritis, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Acute monoarticular gout or pseudogout, Rheumatoid arthritic knees.

Infliximab Injections 

Infliximab suppresses inflammation and can be used to treat the following:

• Knee monoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis and
• Spondyloarthropathy (ankylosing spondylitis)

Hyaluronic Acid Injection

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is naturally present in the joints, eyes, and skin. HA levels decrease with age, leading to joint friction and arthritis. Knee injections lubricate the joint, decrease friction, decrease impact, delay joint aging, reduce pain, and stiffness. HA is used in the treatment of the following: 

• knee osteoarthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
• Botox injection
• Botox inhibits the sensory neurons causing pain. Hence, joint pain and stiffness significantly improve. 
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections

PRP is obtained from the patient’s own blood. It contains growth factors that stimulate collagen formation and lubricate the joint. PRP can improve joint function and reduce pain.

How long does it take for a knee injection to work?

The time taken for the knee injections to work depends on the medication injected. It also depends on the patient’s own medical history and the severity of their injury or condition. A doctor can give you an approximate timeline of when you can expect to see results and recover. Different medications have different durations of onset and longevity.

• Steroids take two to three days following injection for patients to see relief of symptoms. In case of severe joint disease, it takes longer for the effects to begin. Steroid knee injections are usually injected three to four times a year as the effects last for 6 to 12 weeks.
• Hyaluronic acid takes three to four weeks to see the effect on pain relief after the initial injection. The effects last for two to six months, after which the injection needs to be repeated.
• PRP takes longer for its action on the joints to begin, around six months, but the results are superior and last longer than hyaluronic acid.
• Infliximab may take a few days up to two to six weeks for the effects to begin after the first treatment. The treatment can be repeated every eight weeks.
• Botox takes three to 14 days to see pain relief and the results last for about three months.

Assistance Is Available

If you are interested in exploring West Chester, PA knee injections as a way to manage your osteoarthritis pain, please connect with our experienced team today to learn more. Knee injections aren’t the best treatment option for everyone. They may not be appropriate for patients with certain conditions. However, if your medical challenges make you an excellent candidate for this type of pain management, your future self may thank you profoundly for taking the time and effort to research this option. After a doctor completes a physical exam to see if you are a right candidate for knee injections, you can decide if you want to move forward with the treatment. If you have been living with constant knee pain, you should take action and get it treated right away. 

Let our knowledgeable team know that you’re interested in learning about knee injections today so that we may assess your situation objectively and advise you of your patient-specific options accordingly; we look forward to speaking with you.

The Science Behind Steroid Knee Injections

Chronic knee pain can impact your quality of life. Therapeutic options such as cortisol injections can reduce the pain while you and your doctor work to achieve your best possible treatment outcomes. This short guide explains what you need to know about corticosteroid knee injections in West Chester, PA.

What Are Corticosteroids? 

Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory agents. Their chief purpose is to reduce swelling, which in turn can relieve pain and return functionality to the joint. Often called steroids for short, these substances are made by your body’s adrenal cortex. They’re steroid hormones, signaling chemicals whose molecules contain a complex chain of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

How Do Cortisteroids Differ From Other Steroids?

Steroids administered through knee injections belong to the glucocorticoids group. which impact a person’s immune system. They’re different from mineralocorticoids, which are also produced by the adrenal cortex but help regulate sodium and potassium levels in the human body. Other types include sex steroids: androgens, estrogens and progestogens, all which regulate reproductive development and functioning. 

How Do Steroid Injections Treat Knee Pain? 

Corticosteroids govern how a person’s immune system responds to perceived threats. They suppress or dampen immune system responses that may excess cause inflammation. These agents work by limiting the production of chemicals that trigger the inflammation in the first place. That’s because these synthetic corticosteroids look and act similar to those naturally produced by your body’s adrenal glands. Because your body sees the steroids like its own, it stops churning out any extra steroids that can keep aggravating inflammation. 

How Does Treating Inflammation Help Relieve Pain?

Inflammation leads to pain when swelling and tissue buildup pushes against nerve endings. When this happens, those nerve endings transmit pain signals to the brain. With cortisone injections, targeting inflammation is the key. 

Sometimes, inflammation comes from collagen production. Collagen is a protein that makes up skin, bones, tendons and other bodily tissues. Normally, it helps rebuild tissues during the healing process after an injury. Cortisone inhibits collagen by shutting down the cells inside the tendons or joint that produce it. By doing so, it cuts down on inflammation and in turn reduces pain. 

What Can I Expect With a Steroid Injection?

Common types of corticosteroids include prednisone, cortisone and methylprednisolone. Cortisone is the most common steroid used in knee injections in West Chester, PA. They’re typically paired with a local anesthetic, which can cause some numbness in the joint immediately after injection. 

Knee Injections West Chester, PA

Looking into knee injections can be the result of having knee pain that just won’t go away. Knowing what to do when it comes to knee pain is one thing but can be a cause of it? It typically doesn’t just show up one day for no reason after all. The expert team at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania wants to do everything possible to help you get back on your feet without having to depend on over the counter pain relief medications. What are some of the common knee problems that we see coming through the door? 

Five Myths About Knee Injections

You’ve taken control of your knee pain and had your doctor use knee injections in West Chester, PA, to help alleviate that pain. You may have had an injection of a steroid fluid known as cortisone. You might have had a hyaluronic acid injection; this is also known as viscosupplementation or gel injections. Here are five myths you shouldn’t believe about receiving knee injections.

Myth: Once You Start Injections, You Can’t Stop

Fact: When you start getting knee injections in West Chester, PA, your doctor at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania could advise you that too many cortisone injections in the same place can actually start doing damage to your knee. Injections aren’t a cure; they only serve to reduce the inflammation that’s causing you pain in the short-term.

Myth: The Injections Are Really Painful

Fact: Your doctor will likely spray a numbing agent on your skin where the needle goes in. Then you’ll feel some pressure as the steroid is injected into your knee. If you feel too much pain, let your doctor know.

Myth: Cortisone Shots Typically Cause More Harm Than Good

Fact: It’s true that cortisone shots may have side effects. However, the incidence of side effects is small. Those side effects may include:

• Bone thinning or death
• Cushing’s syndrome
• Tissue damage
• Infection
• Headaches
• Cortisone flare
• Increased blood sugar

The benefits of cortisone shots, such as reducing swelling and inflammation, far outweigh the potential side effects. If used appropriately, with at least three months between injections, you may be able to treat your inflammation for years.

Myth: Cortisone Shots Function as Pain Relievers

Fact: Cortisone shots do not function as pain relievers. They are anti-inflammatory injections. When you get knee injections in West Chester, PA, at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania, your doctor is using cortisone to reduce the swelling, tenderness and loss of function in your knee. The side effect of reducing inflammation is reduced pain and better mobility.

Myth: A Cortisone Shot Can Affect Other Body Parts

Fact: Because such a small amount of cortisone is injected into your knee, it’s highly unlikely that it’s going to have any effect on the rest of your body. The one exception to this is insulin-dependent diabetics. It’s uncommon, but occasionally cortisone knee injections in West Chester, PA, can cause a spike in their blood sugar. They should be monitored carefully for 24 hours to make sure they’re all right.

4 Common Knee Pain Causes 

In many people, knee problems are the result of an aging body and the continual wear and tear on the knee joint. However, there are other problems that result from injury or even sudden movements that can lead to issues. Here are the most common knee problems that we see: 

Sprained Knee Ligaments

A serious sprain to your knee can be painful. Typically this is caused when the knee is met with a sudden blow, like in a car accident, or by a sudden twist to the knee. Those who do sports are often met with a sprained knee ligament at some point during their career but everyday people are also at risk. 

Torn Cartilage

Trauma to the knee can cause the menisci to tear. These menisci are the pads of the connective tissue that are used as shock absorbers and stability enhancers. They are often caused by sudden turning while bearing weight on the knee. Sadly an injection may not be the best method in helping recover your knee, but it can still work if the tear is small enough to heal itself. 

Tendonitis 

When a tendon is overused it can cause inflammation which can cause serious pain to the kee. Running, jumping, and cycling are all examples of what could cause a tendon to become inflamed if the proper resting isn’t used. Often this type of injury is common with sports like basketball where the force of hitting the ground after a jump strains the tendon.

Arthritis 

As we age arthritis can set into the joints. The most common form of this is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process where the cartilage in the joint wears away. This is most common in older people but it can be caused by excess stress on the joint, such as being overweight. Another type is rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disorder and can affect anyone at any age. 

Short-Term Tips for Managing Knee Pain 

Patients often express that their knee pain has made a drastic impact on their lives, for the worse. Dealing with body pain can make a person irritable, frustrated, and truly take a toll on their mental health. There are a few things you can do each day to help reduce overall knee pain. Keep in mind that the tips described below can help you go through your day with more ease, however, it won’t fix the root of the problem. Only your knee doctor can properly examine, diagnose, and create a care plan that suits your needs. 

Going Up or Down Stairs

For those with painful knees, having to use a set of stairs may sound like a nightmare. When going up stairs, lead with your less painful knee. Then when going down stairs, lead with the leg that has more knee pain. 

Rising Up From a Chair 

We don’t realize how crucial knee health is until we have to rise from a seated position. When getting up from a chair, place the foot that has more knee pain slightly in front of your other. In that way, the pained knee will have less to handle in effort and pressure. 

Periodically Icing Knee 

Let’s say you have been moving around quite a bit, and the knee pain has gotten bad. Place a thin towel around the ice pack so it’s not placed directly on the skin for 10-20 minutes, a few times a day. If you know you will be highly active on a certain day or are planning a vacation, consider using a soft knee brace for the more demanding activities.

Low-Impact Activities 

The one thing you don’t want to do is become fearful of knee pain so much that you avoid physical activity. Unfortunately, too much rest can make the knee pain worse. Based on the type and severity of your knee pain, your knee doctor can suggest low-impact activities (such as swimming, light walks, or other cardio).

3 Steps To Take After Getting a Knee Injection

Osteoarthritis and other knee injuries or conditions can cause a lot of pain throughout your day-to-day activities, so Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania often recommends that some of their patients get knee injections in West Chester, PA. While this is a simple procedure for the most part, everyone reacts differently. Until you know how a knee injection will affect you, here are some steps you should take after getting injected.

1. Protect Your Knee

Don’t expect to do any strenuous activities after getting knee injections in West Chester, PA. For the following day or two, try to relax and keep the weight off of your knee for as long as you’re able. Some people even take the day off of work or schedule the injection on a day they don’t work. Increased activity can actually decrease the effectiveness of the shot by flushing it out of the joint. You can go for a short walk since gentle exercise can help the injection move through the joint.

2. Don’t Use Heat

While heat may feel soothing at first, it doesn’t help inflammation, which is usually the source of pain for osteoarthritis and other knee issues. Cortisone shots can make some people feel flushed and hot after an injection, but this should be temporary. You can shower, but avoid submerging your knee in hot water. Treating the injection site with heat can make it difficult to watch for infection signs like increased swelling, and it can even exacerbate existing pain. For pain relief, icing the area in intervals is your best bet.

3. Watch for Infection

Infections from knee injections in West Chester, PA are rare but can happen. In the days following the injection, be aware of symptoms that get worse instead of better, like swelling and heat. If you get a fever, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately. Since the injection goes right to the joint, any infections that develop can move into the bloodstream faster. Sepsis can strike fast, so if you’re feeling unwell, don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor.

Everyone recovers from knee injections differently. You may barely experience any side effects at all, while others need to take a few days to recover. On the bright side, knee injections can last months between visits, so you can enjoy pain relief without the consistent hassle. Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania can help you come up with a treatment plan that works with your schedule. 

Contact Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania 

Knee pain can be a detriment to your daily life. If you have been struggling with knee pain that has been bothering you persistently, a doctor can evaluate your knee and determine possible treatment options. Finding out what issues are affecting your knee early can prevent major problems from developing. Often, many people just wait until their knee becomes worse to see a doctor. If you wait too long to get treatment, your condition may become worse, which could require even more expensive treatment. 

No one should have to just go about their day dealing with knee pain. If you are looking to get rid of your knee pain then consider looking into knee injections at our clinic for help. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a doctor about knee injections in West Chester, Pennsylvania at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania — we want to help you get back on your feet and live a pain free life with your knees!