Osteoarthritis is a painful condition of the knee that begins when your cartilage starts breaking down, eventually causing bone and joint damage. Movement as simple as standing can trigger the pain. Over-the-counter treatment and lifestyle changes can provide some relief. But when the pain is excruciating. The orthopedic might suggest occasional steroid injections. If you read https://kdmshospital.com/article/knee-injection/ you will understand that the injections are definitely not some permanent solution. But these can be effective in giving you some relief from pain along with decreasing the inflammation. And the effect can remain for months. 

Types of knee injections

Doctors will prescribe the right type of injection, depending on your status of OA. But you should know the primary details about the basic types of injections.

• Corticosteroids

The glucocorticosteroids or corticosteroids are similar to cortisol, which is a hormone that the human body produces. The hydrocortisone injection is an example of how the process can help in the reduction of inflammation, thus reducing the pain. Oral corticosteroids are also available on the market, but these are not effective in the treatment of OA.

• Fluid aspirations

Your knee joint contains a few cubic centimeters of synovial fluid within the joint that lubricates the joint for easier movements and improves the range of motion. However, an inflammation in the knee joint will cause accumulation of the fluid within the knee joint. Arthrocentesis of the fluid aspiration will take out the extra fluid from the knee, which will provide you immediate relief from the tremendous pain. Aspiration is highly important if the doctor suspects that you have a knee infection. The sample of the joint fluid will undergo tests to diagnose infection. 

• Other injections

Hyaluronic acid injections are common for OA of the knees. But it depends on the doctor completely to assess whether you should have such injections for relief from pain as you must know the p[ros and cons of these injectables first.