What Is the Best Injection for Knee Pain? Find Out Here

Knee pain is a widespread issue affecting millions of people, from athletes to older adults. Common causes include arthritis, ligament or meniscus injuries, and overuse from daily activities or sports. For many, this pain limits mobility, reduces quality of life, and makes simple movements like climbing stairs or standing from a chair difficult. Understanding the best injection for knee pain can help patients explore effective non-surgical options for relief.

The best knee injection depends on the cause of pain, your symptoms, and treatment goals. Corticosteroid injections provide quick anti-inflammatory relief, while hyaluronic acid injections help lubricate the joint and reduce pain over time. For those seeking regenerative support, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cell injections are viable options. Each type of joint injection offers specific benefits and durations of relief, so it’s important to choose the approach that suits your needs. Consulting a healthcare professional can help determine the best choice.

Knee Problems

Knee issues can arise from various conditions, each impacting movement and comfort differently. Arthritis causes progressive joint degeneration, leading to stiffness and chronic pain. Injuries, including ligament tears (ACL, MCL) and meniscus damage, may create instability and long-term discomfort. Overuse conditions such as tendonitis or bursitis result from repetitive strain, often causing swelling and tenderness.

These conditions not only affect your ability to walk, run, or climb stairs but can also interfere with daily life and overall well-being. Proper diagnosis and targeted treatment, such as a knee injection, can help restore mobility and reduce pain while avoiding surgical intervention.

Knee Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of knee pain. Types include:

Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of cartilage causing pain, stiffness, and limited movement.
Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune condition leading to joint inflammation and swelling.
Post-traumatic arthritis: Develops after injury or surgery.

Arthritis contributes to pain by inflaming the joint, reducing cushioning, and creating friction during movement. For patients with stiff knees or knees that hurt during activity, injections such as hyaluronic acid knee injections or gel shots for knee pain can relieve discomfort and improve joint function.

Knee Injuries

Knee injuries can lead to chronic pain if left untreated. Common issues include:

Ligament tears (ACL, MCL) causing instability and swelling.
Meniscus injuries resulting in pain on the side of the knee or inside the joint.
Cartilage damage leading to grinding sensations or stiffness.

Even after the initial injury heals, residual pain or inflammation may persist. Treatments such as intra-articular injections, injectable anti-inflammatory shots, or regenerative therapies like PRP can help restore function and reduce discomfort.

Types of Knee Injections

Knee injections are designed to target pain and inflammation directly at the source, providing relief and improving joint function. Different injections serve specific purposes, from reducing arthritis-related swelling to promoting tissue repair after injury. Selecting the right type depends on the underlying condition, severity of symptoms, and desired outcomes.

Corticosteroid Injections (Cortisone Shots)

Corticosteroid injections are commonly used to quickly reduce inflammation and pain in the knee joint. They work by directly targeting inflammatory pathways, helping patients regain mobility and participate in daily activities with less discomfort.

High-quality studies show that corticosteroid injections can significantly reduce knee osteoarthritis pain. About 1 in 4 patients experience meaningful relief for up to 16–24 weeks, with even quicker benefits within the first two weeks.

These injections are often recommended for arthritis flare-ups or acute episodes of knee pain, providing rapid relief.

Mechanism: Blocks inflammatory pathways in the knee.
Ideal candidates: Patients with arthritis flare-ups or acute inflammation.
Benefits: Rapid relief, often within days.
Limitations: Temporary relief; repeated shots may weaken cartilage over time.

Hyaluronic Acid (Gel Injections)

Hyaluronic acid injections, also known as knee gel injections, gel shots for knee pain, or viscosupplementation injections, act as a lubricant and shock absorber for the knee joint. These injections help restore natural joint cushioning, reduce stiffness, and improve mobility in patients with osteoarthritis. They are delivered as intra-articular injections directly into the knee for targeted relief, and high-quality studies have concluded that they are effective for knee osteoarthritis without increasing the risk of adverse events, although effectiveness can vary between patients.

Purpose: Reduce friction and improve mobility in osteoarthritic knees.
Procedure: Delivered as a gel injection in the knee or intra-articular injection.
Duration: Relief can last 3–6 months.
Types: Includes rooster comb injections or comb injections, natural sources of hyaluronic acid.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injections

PRP injections use a concentrated sample of your own platelets to promote healing and tissue regeneration in the knee. They are especially useful for cartilage injuries, meniscus tears, and mild osteoarthritis. PRP helps reduce inflammation and stimulates the body’s natural repair mechanisms, potentially providing longer-lasting relief than standard steroid injections.

Mechanism: Stimulates healing of cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
Indications: Mild osteoarthritis, meniscus injuries, tendon damage.
Effectiveness: Can provide longer-term pain relief compared to corticosteroids.
Procedure: Administered as a PRP knee injection directly into the injured area.

Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a procedure designed for patients with chronic knee pain that originates from nerve signals rather than joint inflammation. By applying controlled heat to the pain-transmitting nerves, RFA disrupts the signals sent to the brain, reducing the perception of pain. This treatment is particularly beneficial for patients who do not respond to conventional injections.

Mechanism: Uses heat to interrupt pain signals.
Ideal candidates: Patients with nerve-related chronic knee pain or who do not respond to injections.
Duration: Relief may last 6–12 months.
Limitations: Does not address structural joint damage.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy is an emerging treatment that aims to regenerate damaged knee tissue using mesenchymal stem cells. These cells can support cartilage and tendon repair, offering potential long-term improvement in knee function. While promising, outcomes can vary, and the treatment is typically recommended for patients who have not found relief from other injection therapies.

Mechanism: Mesenchymal stem cells help repair cartilage or tendons.
Indications: Patients with persistent knee pain unresponsive to other injections.
Considerations: Emerging treatment with variable outcomes and higher cost.

Which Injection Is Right for Your Knee Pain?

Selecting the most appropriate knee injection depends largely on the underlying cause of your discomfort and your treatment goals. For arthritis, injections aim to reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and relieve stiffness, while injuries may benefit from regenerative therapies that repair tissue. Nerve-related knee pain, on the other hand, requires treatments that specifically target pain signals.

Choosing the right injection depends on the underlying cause:

Arthritis: Hyaluronic acid knee injections, corticosteroids, or PRP.
Injury: PRP injections or stem cell therapy for tissue regeneration.
Nerve-related pain: Genicular nerve RFA.

Each option has pros and cons:

Corticosteroids: Quick relief, short-term effect.
Gel injections: Improve mobility, moderate relief.
PRP/stem cells: Longer-term regenerative potential, higher cost.
RFA: Effective for nerve pain, does not fix structural damage.

How Long Do Knee Injections Last?

The duration of relief from knee injections depends on several factors, including the type of injection, the extent of joint damage, and the overall health of the patient. Recovery and long-term effectiveness are influenced by activity levels, adherence to post-procedure care, and how the knee responds to treatment. Some patients may experience longer-lasting benefits, while others may require follow-up injections to maintain pain relief.

Typical timelines:

Corticosteroid injection: 4–12 weeks of relief.
Hyaluronic acid injection: 3–6 months.
PRP injection: Variable, often 6–12 months.
RFA: 6–12 months.

What to Expect After a Knee Injection

Most patients recover quickly after knee injections, often resuming light activities within a day or two. Temporary discomfort, swelling, mild bruising, or stiffness at the injection site is common and usually resolves on its own. In rare cases, infections or allergic reactions may occur, so monitoring your knee for unusual symptoms is important. Understanding what to expect helps patients follow post-procedure care and achieve the best possible outcomes.

Rest the knee for 24–48 hours.
Apply ice to reduce swelling or soreness.
Avoid strenuous activity for a few days.
Report severe pain or swelling to your doctor.

Find Relief from Knee Pain Today

If your knee is stiff and hurts or you struggle with ongoing discomfort on the side of your knee or around the joint, professional care can make a significant difference. Non-surgical treatments, including knee gel injections, corticosteroid shots, PRP, or RFA, are designed to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore joint function.

At Aesthetics & Pain, we provide personalized evaluation and targeted knee injections to address your specific condition. Our goal is to help you move comfortably, regain strength, and prevent long-term joint issues. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and take control of your knee health.