Knee Injections

What is a knee injection?

Knee injections are a type of viscosupplementation that add lubricating fluid to your knee joint.  Republic Spine and Pain offers Supartz knee injections to reduce knee stiffness and pain to improve your mobility. 

Supartz is a solution of sodium hyaluronate, which acts like the synovial fluid that cushions and lubricates your joints. 

Why would I have a knee injection?

The FDA approved Supartz knee injections to treat osteoarthritis in 2001. The injections relubricate your knee joints, which reduces the friction, irritation, and inflammation that causes the debilitating pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis. 

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of arthritis. It develops when the cartilage and other fluids that cushion and lubricate your joints wears away. The bones are unprotected when they rub together, which creates friction that irritates your bones and surrounding tissue, leading to inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and pain.

Republic Spine and Pain usually recommends knee injections when other treatments such as anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and hot and cold therapies haven't effectively relieved your pain. 

What happens during a knee injection?

While you may see an improvement after a single injection, in most cases, you need a series of weekly knee injections to optimize your pain relief. The injections only take a few minutes and are provided in the convenient comfort of the Republic Spine and Pain offices. 

Your doctor prepares your knee by cleaning your skin and applying a local anesthetic. Next, they insert the needle into your knee joint and inject the solution. They apply a small bandage to your injection site, and you're free to go home.  

What should I expect after a knee injection?

You should take it easy for a couple of days following your knee injection and not put too much pressure on your knees. Your knee may be tender or slightly swollen for a short time after your injection, but any discomfort is usually mild and fades quickly. Your pain and stiffness should start to subside within a couple of days as the inflammation in your knee subsides. 

If you have osteoarthritis in your knees and it's getting in the way of your life, call Republic Spine and Pain or make an appointment online today to find out if knee injections are right for you.