How Many Steroid Injections Can You Have In Your Knee

July 3, 2024

Discover how many steroid injections for knee recovery you can have, along with risks and benefits.

Cortisone Injections for Knee Pain

Cortisone injections are commonly prescribed for individuals experiencing knee pain. The specifics of these injections, including their types, effectiveness, and duration, are of interest to patients seeking to understand more about this treatment option.

Types of Injections

There are several types of injections utilized for knee pain. Among these, cortisone shots, hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are the most common. Cortisone shots are typically used to provide temporary relief for knee pain and inflammation. They play a significant role in helping patients postpone surgery by providing a temporary solution.

Effectiveness and Duration

The effectiveness and duration of cortisone shots can vary significantly from person to person. Most people find that cortisone shots provide relief for a few weeks to a few months. The time frame is dependent on several factors, including the patient's overall health, the severity of their condition, and their response to the injection.

Chronic inflammation may lead to a gradual return of symptoms over time. If you're recovering from a temporary injury, you might only require one cortisone shot to alleviate pain and inflammation. However, for chronic (long-term) conditions, multiple steroid injections might be necessary in the future.

Doctors typically limit the number of cortisone shots into a joint due to concerns about potential damage to the cartilage within the joint. The number of shots can vary depending on the joint, diagnosis, and other factors. Most people shouldn't have more than three cortisone shots in a year, and there should be a waiting period of at least three months between rounds of steroids.

In summary, cortisone injections can be a helpful tool in managing knee pain, but it's important for patients to understand the potential limitations and risks associated with this treatment. As always, it is recommended to discuss any concerns or questions with a healthcare provider.

Limitations and Considerations

While cortisone injections can provide significant relief from knee pain, it's important to consider their limitations and necessary precautions. These include the number of injections one can safely receive in a year, the waiting period between injections, and special considerations for individuals with chronic conditions.

Number of Injections Per Year

The number of cortisone shots a person can safely receive into a joint is typically limited due to concerns about potential damage to the cartilage within the joint. The number of shots can vary depending on the joint, diagnosis, and other factors. However, most health professionals agree that a person shouldn't have more than three cortisone shots in a year in most cases.

Joint	Maximum Number of Injections Per Year
Knee	3

Waiting Period Between Injections

There should also be an adequate waiting period between rounds of steroid injections. It's generally recommended that there should be a waiting period of at least three months between injections. This allows time for the body to recover and for the full effects of the injection to be realized.

Chronic Conditions

If you're recovering from a temporary injury, you might only require one cortisone shot to alleviate pain and inflammation. However, for chronic (long-term) conditions, multiple steroid injections in the future might be necessary. The exact number will depend on the individual's condition, the effectiveness of previous injections, and their overall health [2].

Condition	Likely Number of Injections
Temporary Injury	1
Chronic Condition	Multiple

In conclusion, while cortisone injections can provide relief from knee pain, it's important to adhere to these guidelines to avoid potential complications and maximize the effectiveness of the treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new treatment regimen.

Process and Effects of Cortisone Shots

Understanding the process and effects of cortisone shots is crucial to maximize the healing potential for knee recovery. This section sheds light on the time it takes for cortisone shots to show effectiveness, their risks and benefits, and the impact on skin and tissue.

Time for Effectiveness

The time for a cortisone shot to take effect varies but usually, the patient can expect to see a reduction in pain and inflammation within a week. If symptoms persist beyond ten days, consulting with a healthcare provider is advised [2]. The duration of the effects of cortisone shots can last anywhere between a few weeks to a few months, with the effectiveness varying from person to person. Chronic inflammation might lead to a gradual return of symptoms over time.

Risks and Benefits

Cortisone shots are generally safe and effective in relieving pain and inflammation, aiding individuals in managing symptoms or conditions that interfere with their daily activities. However, doctors typically limit the number of cortisone shots into a joint due to concerns about potential damage to the cartilage within the joint. The number of shots can vary depending on the joint, diagnosis, and other factors. Most people shouldn't have more than three cortisone shots in a year, and there should be a waiting period of at least three months between rounds of steroids [2].

Skin and Tissue Effects

Cortisone injections can cause skin discoloration around the injection site, which can be permanent and occurs in approximately 1.3% to 4% of patients. The change in skin color may be more common in darker-skinned patients and is related to the type and concentration of corticosteroid medication used.

Another potential side effect is fat atrophy at the injection site, which results in a divot or depression in the skin. This side effect is estimated to occur in 0.6% (6 out of every 1000) injections and typically resolves within 6 months to 2-3 years [4].

Additionally, cortisone injections can lead to weakened tendons in the area of injection, making them more susceptible to tears. Physicians take precautions to avoid injecting cortisone directly into or close to a tendon to reduce the risk of tendon injuries [4].

Understanding these potential effects can help patients make informed decisions about how many steroid injections they can have in their knee and how to minimize potential side effects.

Complications and Side Effects

While cortisone injections can be a potent tool for alleviating knee pain, it's important to understand their potential side effects. Some patients might experience complications like skin discoloration, fat atrophy, and weakened tendons.

Skin Discoloration

Skin discoloration around the injection site is a potential side effect of cortisone injections. It occurs in approximately 1.3% to 4% of patients, and it can be permanent [4]. The change in skin color may be more common in darker-skinned patients and is related to the type and concentration of corticosteroid medication used.

Side Effect	Occurrence Rate
Skin Discoloration	1.3% - 4%

Fat Atrophy

Another side effect is fat atrophy at the injection site, which can result in a divot or depression in the skin. This effect is estimated to occur in 0.6% (6 out of every 1000) injections. However, this complication typically resolves within 6 months to 2-3 years.

Side Effect	Occurrence Rate
Fat Atrophy	0.6%

Weakened Tendons

Cortisone injections can also lead to weakened tendons in the area of injection, making them more susceptible to tears. Physicians take precautions to avoid injecting cortisone directly into or close to a tendon to reduce the risk of tendon injuries.

While these potential side effects should be considered when deciding how many steroid injections you can have in your knee, they do not occur in every patient. It's important to have a discussion with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of cortisone injections for knee pain relief.

Studies and Findings

To understand the question of how many steroid injections one can have in the knee, it's essential to look at the findings from studies and research. This section will explore the impact on cartilage, the risks of infection, and other potential complications related to steroid injections.

Impact on Cartilage

Repeated cortisone injections have shown an association with an average 0.11 cm loss of cartilage in the knee. This could potentially impact knee function over time. However, it's notable that the same study did not find an association with increased knee pain from the injections. This suggests that while there may be cartilage loss, it might not translate to noticeable discomfort for the patient.

Infection Risks

Infection following a cortisone injection is rare but is a severe potential side effect. Patients more prone to infections, such as those with autoimmune diseases or taking immune-suppressing medications, should inform their healthcare provider. Any concerns of infection should be promptly addressed with the doctor if suspected [4].

Other Complications

Beyond the risk of infection and impact on cartilage, cortisone injections can lead to several other complications. These include skin discoloration around the injection site, which can be permanent and occurs in approximately 1.3% to 4% of patients. The change in skin color may be more common in darker-skinned patients and is related to the type and concentration of corticosteroid medication used.

Cortisone injections might also cause fat atrophy at the injection site, resulting in a divot or depression in the skin. This side effect is estimated to occur in 0.6% (6 out of every 1000) injections and typically resolves within 6 months to 2-3 years.

Furthermore, cortisone injections can lead to weakened tendons in the area of injection, making them more susceptible to tears. Physicians take precautions to avoid injecting cortisone directly into or close to a tendon to reduce the risk of tendon injuries.

In terms of effectiveness, high-quality studies have shown short-term (up to two weeks) improvement of symptoms from intra-articular corticosteroid injection for osteoarthritis of the knee. The pooled relative risk for improvement up to two weeks after injections was 1.66 (1.37 to 2.0). The numbers needed to treat to get one improvement in the statistically significant studies was 1.3 to 3.5 patients. Furthermore, the only methodologically-sound studies addressing longer-term response (16-24 weeks) also show significant improvement. Doses of 50 mg equivalent of prednisone may be needed to obtain benefits at 16 to 24 weeks.

It's clear from these studies and findings that while steroid injections can offer relief from knee pain, they do come with potential risks and complications. It's essential for anyone considering this treatment to have a thorough discussion with their healthcare provider to understand these risks and make an informed decision.

Other Knee Pain Treatments

While cortisone injections are a popular treatment for knee pain, they are not the only option available. There are several non-surgical treatments that can provide relief and potentially delay the need for surgical intervention. These include physical therapy, weight reduction, and other types of injections.

Non-Surgical Options

Non-surgical treatments can provide symptomatic relief for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and potentially delay the need for surgical intervention. These treatments include physical therapy, weight reduction, and injections such as cortisone, hyaluronic acid (HA), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.

PRP injections, in particular, have been found to provide long-term symptomatic relief for KOA compared to hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid injections. However, HA and corticosteroid injections are still beneficial in treating KOA more than receiving no treatment at all. (PubMed)

Physical Therapy Benefits

Physical therapy (PT) has been shown to improve pain and functionality of the knee more than just non-surgical treatment alone. In fact, a course of PT with 12 weeks of non-surgical treatment improved pain and functionality of the knee more than just 12 weeks of non-surgical treatment when followed up at 12 and 24 months. Moreover, supervised physical therapy can delay the need for knee surgery in 95% of patients after one year.

Weight Reduction Impacts

Weight reduction has also been shown to improve pain and functionality in patients with KOA, and it can decrease the urgency for surgery. In fact, weight loss of more than 10% has been associated with a significant drop in knee compressive forces and improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

In conclusion, while cortisone injections can be an effective treatment for knee pain, they are not the only option. Non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, weight reduction, and other types of injections can also provide significant relief. However, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for individual needs and circumstances.