How to make an injection in the knee involves a needle being inserted into the joint. The aim of the injection is to help diagnose and treat knee conditions such as arthritis. It can also relieve pain and swelling, as well as increase the volume of the synovial fluid in the knee.
Knee injections are an important part of rheumatology. They are used for diagnosis and treatment of a variety of conditions including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Generally, these injections are performed by a surgeon. However, some of the most common injections are performed by a physician in the general practice setting. For these injections, a patient is generally allowed to participate in routine activities after the procedure.
A steroid injection is a common technique that is often accompanied by a local anesthetic, such as lignocaine. Depending on the doctor’s preferences, the amount of medication injected may vary. Common steroid injections include methylprednisolone, a steroid commonly used to treat osteoarthritis. This steroid is available as a 40 mg/mL solution or as a 6 mg/mL betamethasone solution.
Hyaluronic acid injections are another common form of knee injection. These injections work by providing a gel-like cushion to the joint. They are used to relieve knee pain after surgery, but may also be used to prevent surgery. In addition, hyaluronic acid injections may help regenerate cartilage. If you are considering a knee injection, consult your physician about any possible side effects.
Another type of injection is a guided IAKI, which is an injection that is guided by ultrasound, fluoroscopy, or magnetic resonance imaging. While this technique is useful in certain circumstances, it is not recommended for routine use.
When an IAKI is performed, the patient is seated in a supine position, with the knee extended to 90 degrees. A syringe containing a local anesthetic, corticosteroid, and an absorbent pad is attached to the needle. Aspiration can then be directed toward the prepatella bursa, a superficial area of the knee. Some physicians may administer a lidocaine injection before aspiration, which can help alleviate some of the discomfort associated with the injection.
There are other techniques, such as arthrocentesis, that are used to diagnose and treat knee conditions. Depending on the specific procedure, patients are placed in a supine or prone position. The procedure is performed by inserting a needle into the inferomedial soft part of the knee, called the injection portal. Occasionally, the patient is given an absorbent pad to place under the knee. After the needle is inserted, the joint is examined.
Image-guidance, which is the use of ultrasound to guide the injection, was also used in one study. The accuracy of the injection was evaluated by the appearance of air bubbles on an ultrasound image. Although the number of studies evaluating the accuracy of injections at different locations is limited, some are available.
Two studies evaluated the accuracy of knee injections. One compared the accuracy of the injections in extension versus flexion. Interestingly, the accuracy of the injections did not differ in either situation. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to assess accuracy.