Knee Injections: A Physical Therapist’s Take on the Different Options

If you have knee pain, you may have heard about injections as a way to reduce pain and improve function. But with options like cortisone, hyaluronic acid, and PRP, it can be confusing to know what they actually do—and whether you need one.

As a physical therapist, I often tell my patients that an injection should be viewed as compliment tool in the treatment, not the whole treatment. Here’s a brief description about each to give you an idea.

1. Cortisone Injections

Cortisone, or corticosteroid injections, are commonly used to reduce inflammation and pain inside the knee. They can be particularly helpful when inflammation is making it difficult to walk, exercise, or participate in rehabilitation.
The important thing to remember is that cortisone generally helps manage symptoms; it doesn't repair damaged cartilage or correct the underlying movement or strength deficits.

From a PT perspective, the goal is often to use that window of reduced pain to help you move better, strengthen the knee, and build back your function.

2. Hyaluronic Acid Injections

Hyaluronic acid injections, sometimes called "gel injections," are intended to improve the environment inside the knee joint and may provide pain relief for some people with osteoarthritis.

Results can vary considerably from person to person. Some patients report meaningful improvement, while others notice little difference.
If an injection helps reduce your symptoms, physical therapy can help you take advantage of that improvement by working on strength, mobility, balance, and everyday activities.

3. PRP Injections

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is made from a sample of your own blood. The blood is processed to concentrate platelets, which are then injected into the knee.
PRP has gained popularity, particularly for people with osteoarthritis and certain tendon or soft-tissue problems. However, research is still evolving, and outcomes can vary depending on the condition, the preparation used, and the individual.

So, Which Injection Is Best?

There isn't one injection that's best for everyone.

The right decision depends on why your knee hurts, how severe your symptoms are, your medical history, and your goals.

Most importantly, an injection shouldn't replace rehabilitation. Whether or not you receive an injection, addressing strength, mobility, walking mechanics, activity levels, and other contributing factors can be an important part of getting your knee functioning better.

These are few of the most common injections for knee pain, please consult your doctor and have a bit of your own research done before proceeding with any of these. Come visit me at 2 Align health and let’s get that treatment plan ready for you!