Knee injections Wyomissing, PA
At Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania, our staff and doctors are specialists in performing knee injections in Wyomissing, PA. Knee injections are a very effective way of targeting medication directly to the problem area and can be a great way to treat knee pain, swelling, inflammation and arthritis. Whether you have recently suffered sports injury or have developed an illness like arthritis, knee injections can be effective and have proven to produce lasting results for many patients. They tend to be more effective and have less side effects than oral medication. Many people mistakenly believe that surgery and medication are the only effective treatment solutions for people who have knee pain. Patients can opt for knee injections as a long-lasting treatment that can reduce the severity of symptoms or eliminate pain altogether. See if knee injections are appropriate for you by arranging an appointment with a trusted doctor.
Side Effects of Knee Injections
As with any treatment, there are side effects that can occur. There are some short and long term complications linked with knee injections for knee pain, however, they are rare. Patients may experience discomfort in the injected area following the procedure. The most common side effect is a temporary flare–up of symptoms for a couple of days. This happens in approximately 5% of cases and can be reduced by using Ice therapy. There are some possible side effects with injections for knee pain:
- Bruising (at the injection site)
- Facial flushing
- Joint injury
- Tendon weakening or rupture (occurs less than 1% of the time)
- Whitening of the skin (at injection site)
- Allergic reaction
- Nerve damage
- Elevated blood sugar levels (if you have diabetes, it can last a few days)
- Infection (due to the puncturing of the skin)
If you notice one or more of these side effects, be sure to notify your doctor immediately so they can assess your knee. If your knee becomes hot and painful, contact one of our specialists right away.
How many knee injections can I have?
Doctors usually recommend waiting at least 3 months before having another injection and limiting the injections to a single joint to 3-4 per year. Too many injections in an area can result in damaged cartilage, so you want to limit the amount you can get in a single year. You want to have enough time in between each injection and don’t have more injections than what your doctor recommends.
Knee Injection Recovery
After the injection, you’ll usually be able to go straight home. A knee injections specialist may advise you to avoid strenuous activity for the next 24 hours. Your knee will feel sensitive for several hours, so be sure to get plenty of rest. Do not apply pressure or weight to the knee, and be careful not to bump it against any objects. Avoid swimming for a couple of days, look out for side effects, take simple pain relief medication if needed, and remember that your knee may feel a little tender for a few days but it should recede. As you recover and regain your strength, gradually take part in physical activity as instructed by your doctor.
Safety Advice
Knee injections should only be carried out by qualified health professionals. If you are interested in getting knee injections, do thorough research and only be treated by an experienced, trained and certified professional. If an injection is administered incorrectly, serious health issues can occur.
To prepare for your procedure, talk to your doctor so you understand what to do and what not to do after you receive the injection. Follow their instructions so you prevent injury and any complications from occurring.
If you are taking blood thinners such as aspirin or warfarin, you may need to stop them for a few days before your knee injection. You should always discuss this with your doctor first. You should avoid any strenuous activity for 48 hours after an injection to avoid the risk of injury.
How can I get help with my knee pain?
As with any condition, it’s important to get the right diagnosis and the right advice and treatment sooner rather than later. Often if diagnosed early knee arthritis will respond to non-invasive treatments such as physiotherapy and exercise. If things aren’t settling then here at the Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania we offer treatments such as specialist knee injections which can help you stay in control of your symptoms without the need for pain-killers.
Regardless of your pain being chronic or acute, a knee pain doctor from the Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania can assess your symptoms and diagnose you with the causes of your pain. After this, a practical treatment plan can be developed with your needs in mind. For an appointment with a knee injections doctor, please call the Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania.
Why Knee Injections May Be Right for You
Knee injection is a procedure in which medications are injected into the knee joint to treat the pain due to various causes. They are non-invasive, meaning there is no cut made on the body or no organ is being removed. Because knee injections are non-invasive, there is a reduced risk of harmful, long-term side effects. The recovery period for knee injections tends to be much shorter compared to surgical procedures. Here are the main benefits of knee injections:
Reduce Pain
Pain is a huge factor in inhibiting everyday function and mobility. When joints are swollen or stiff, it can be painful to make even the smallest movements. Getting out of bed can be difficult or tiresome. Sometimes medication does nothing to ease chronic pain, and knee injections can help. Combined with regular stretching and exercise, knee injections can produce dramatic results. By easing patients into greater mobility through exercises and repeated movements, regularly scheduled appointments can lessen the impact of pain on daily life.
Improve Health
Age can cause numerous health issues. Bones become less dense and joints become worn over time. This can lead to pain and limited movement. Knee injections can decrease any pain you experience from completing regular activities, and it can allow you to participate in more. When your knees are not in pain, you can become more active. Your overall health will be greatly improved with knee injections.
Decrease Chances of Surgery
Your doctor may suggest surgery to fix an injury, but knee injections may get you around that possibility. Considering non-invasive treatments first before surgery can save you money and prevent the likelihood that side effects will develop. Knee injections can be administered safely and provide targeted, fast relief. It can strengthen muscles and ligaments around a troubled area, and this can be enough to protect the issue from further dilapidation, giving it proper time to heal on its own. Your recovery time is shorter as well, allowing you to get back to your normal life more quickly. Eliminating pain can also reduce the need to get surgery.
Increase mobility
A knee impairment can make it incredibly difficult to move. Struggles with mobility and balance can affect other aspects of your health, soon causing you to spiral in a negative downward trend. It can limit how long you can exercise and the type of exercise you can do. If you see a doctor for knee injections in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, you may soon discover that you can walk easier and complete tasks around the house without being afraid of falling or hurting yourself. Knee injections allow you to regain function of your knee so that you can move freely again.
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. 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.
Schedule an appointment with our knee injections doctor to see if they can help you. Talking through potential solutions can make trying something new much easier.
Knee Injections Wyomissing, PA
Perhaps a knee injection isn’t your first idea to take care of your knee pain. What even causes such pain can be a mystery to many people. When it comes to your knee there are minor and major reasons that there could be pain or swelling. What you shouldn’t do is wait for it to get worse when seeing a doctor at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania could help you get back to living your life to the fullest.
Reasons for Knee Pain
There are three main causes to why your knee could be bothering you and those are injuries, mechanical problems, and arthritis. No matter the case you should see your doctor if you can’t bear weight on your knee, have severe swelling, can’t fully extend or flex your knee, have a fever in addition to swelling and redness in your knee, or have such severe knee pain you can’t bear it.
Injuries
A knee injury can cause severe pain to your knee and can be from a number of things. These injuries can affect any of the ligaments, tendons, or bursae that surround your knee joint. Your bones, cartilage, and ligaments that form the joint can also be hurt by an injury. Some of the most common types of injury are:
- ACL Injury – This is when a tear of the ACL occurs. The ACL is one of four ligaments that connect your shinbone to your thigh bone. This type of injury is common in those who are active in sports that require sudden changes in movement.
- Fractures – This is what happens when the bones of the knee are broken or hit. Often it takes falls or some big force but in elderly it could be from stepping wrong.
- Torn Meniscus – This rubbery cartilage is the shock absorber between your shinbone and thighbone. It can be born if you twist your knee suddenly while bearing weight on it.
- Knee Bursitis – The small sacs of fluid around the knee that cushion the outside of your knee can be hurt through sudden movement while bearing weight on your knee.
Mechanical Problems
Mechanical problems are often the cause of a direct blow to the knee or a sudden moment that strains the knee. The most common types of mechanical problems are as follows:
- Loose Body: With age, injury, or degeneration of bone or cartilage can cause a piece to break off and float in the joint space. It may not cause problems with moving but it is like putting a pencil in a door hinge, it won’t be able to close properly.
- Dislocated Kneecap: When the triangular bone that covers your knee slips out of place, it can stay there. This can happen with weakened muscles, injury, or age.
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome: This occurs when the band of tissue that extends from the outside of your hip to the outside of your knee becomes so tight it rubs against your thigh bone. Distance runners and cyclists are often the ones who sugar the most.
Arthritis
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis that exist. The top three that are most likely to affect the knee include:
- Osteoarthritis – Degenerative arthritis that is most common among the elderly.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – By far the most debilitating as it is the autoimmune response and can affect any joint in the body.
- Gout – This is when there is a uric acid build-up in the joint.
How To Prepare for Knee Injection Session
The procedure for a knee injection won’t take long. You’ll likely be seated during the procedure, and the knee doctor will position your knee appropriately based on where the injection needs to be inserted. An ultrasound machine will be useful so the injection is placed in the best location possible. Your knee doctor will:
- Clean the knee area
- Treat it with a local anesthetic
- Use an ultrasound machine for proper placement
- Insert the needle into the skin
- Inject medication into the joint
Despite feeling some discomfort, the procedure should not be painful, so let your doctor know if it is too intense. Keep in mind that the local anesthetic should be in effect during needle insertion, so you feel minimal discomfort. In some cases, your knee doctor may remove a little amount of fluid in the joint if it will alleviate pressure. After injection, which only takes a few seconds, a dressing will be applied to cover the site. Your doctor or clinic staff may then advise:
- Avoiding hot tubs, strenuous activity, and swimming for 24 hours
- Monitoring for side effects, including an infection or allergic reaction
- Taking an over-the-counter pain relief medication to decrease discomfort
- Having another person pick you up from the appointment (if there may be restrictions in your ability to drive)
In addition to knee injections, your knee doctor may talk with you about other lifestyle choices that can optimize your treatments:
- Choosing lower-impact activities and sports
- Exercising and stretching regularly to keep muscles around knee strong
- Manage your weight (but only if it safe for you to lose excess weight)
- Applying cold and heat pads to reduce inflammation and pain
- Using a walker or cane to assist with balance
- Using a knee brace to support the knee
- Getting sufficient rest as much as possible
- Abiding by a healthier diet
- Practicing yoga or tai chi to to reduce stress and promote flexibility
- Attending occupational or physical therapy to cope with knee challenges
Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania
If you are going through knee pain don’t hesitate to look into knee injections to get the relief you need. You can trust that the doctors here at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania have your care in mind when going over your options, so call today to book your consultation for Wyomissing, PA knee injections!