What is the role of knee injections in managing knee osteoarthritis? Elizabeth Tracey reports

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Injections of steroids into the knee has been a mainstay of management for knee osteoarthritis, and there’s a new kid on the block with hyaluronic acid or HA. Should you consider them? Stefan Coombs, an orthopedic surgeon at Johns Hopkins, has more.

Coombs: Knee steroid injections have been proven to provide short and medium term pain relief in knee osteoarthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties, with only minor side effects such as skin atrophy or thinning and a very, very rare side effect of a knee infection. Many patients come in asking about hyaluronic acid. In this procedure this gel like fluid called HA is injected into the knee joint. The theory is that it would facilitate movements and reduce pain. The studies however are relatively weak and the Academy does not support the use of it.    :35

At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.