Knee Joint Aspirations and Injections
A knee aspiration is a procedure whereby a syringe and sterile needle are used to remove synovial fluid from a patient’s joint. Typically, a Knee Aspiration procedure is administered to relieve pressure from nerves in the knee.
It is performed by a doctor or ancillary healthcare practitioner. Knee aspiration is sometimes called joint drainage and is described as a knee arthrocentesis.
On the other hand, a Knee Joint Injection is a procedure whereby medication is injected with the help of a syringe and needle into the joint space. Knee Injections inject steroidal pain and anti-inflammatory medication into the joint to alleviate pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Simultaneous Knee Aspiration followed by Knee Joint Injection is often performed to provide relief from painful symptoms caused by conditions such as:
- Tendonitis.
- Bursitis.
- Arthritis.
- Bone Spurs.
When are Knee Aspiration and Knee Joint Injection Used?
Knee aspiration can be used for diagnosis as well as treatment of a number of joint diseases. The surgeon may obtain the fluid from the patient’s joint for testing in order to diagnose the condition. Evaluation of the joint fluid can help the doctor determine the cause of pain and swelling in the knee joint. The causes can be:
- Infection.
- Gout.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Secondly, Knee Aspiration is used to treat the symptoms of conditions that cause inflammation, pain, and swelling in the knee joint. Removing the synovial fluid removes not only the pressure from compressed nerves but also deters white blood cells, which reduces pain and inflammation.
On the other hand, a Knee Joint Injection is used to treat inflammation in the knee joint, which causes pain and swelling, among other symptoms. A Knee Injection can be of two types:
- A Cortisone Injection in the Knee Joint which injects the knee with steroidal medication to treat symptoms.
- An injection to lubricate the knee joint after the cartilage has been damaged from an overuse injury or chronic medical condition like arthritis.
Knee injections are used if other non-invasive treatments such as the RICE protocol, Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs, and pain medication fails to relieve the symptoms.
How are Knee Aspiration and Knee Joint Injection Performed?
A Knee Aspiration procedure is performed in the following simple steps:
- The skin over the joint of the knee is cleaned by the professional surgeon using an iodine solution.
- A local anesthetic is administered to the affected area of the knee joint, either by a topical liquid coolant, an injection, or both.
- A syringe with a needle attached is inserted within the knee joint, and joint fluid is drawn back into the syringe.
- The syringe is removed, and a bandage is applied over the affected area.
A Knee Injection procedure follows the same preparatory steps as the Knee Aspiration procedure. However, instead of removing fluid, the syringe is injected in the knee to deliver medicine directly to the affected area. Once the medicine is injected, the syringe is removed, and dressing is applied.
Where Can you get Knee Aspiration and Knee Joint Injection Treatment?
Complete Medical Wellness provides the best treatment for knee conditions in New Jersey.
At CMW, you will receive:
- A careful examination and diagnosis.
- Empathetic patient care.
- Attentive staff.
- Qualified surgeons.
- State of the art facility.
- Observant post-op care.
Schedule an online consultation with our orthopedic specialist and avail effective, reliable, and best orthopedic treatments in NJ.
FAQ’S
How Long Do Knee Injections Last?
- The injection effect starts to take place in a day or two after the procedure; at this point, you should be able to feel relief.
- One injection can last you from several weeks to months.
Do You Need to Rest After a Cortisone Injection?
- After a cortisone knee joint injection, it is advisable to rest the affected area for at least 24 hours and avoid physical activity for several days.
How Long Does a Knee Aspiration Take?
- Knee joint aspiration procedure is an in-office procedure that usually takes only five to ten minutes.
- The procedure is simple and is only slightly painful.
Is Knee Aspiration Painful?
- Withdrawing fluid into the syringe itself is not usually painful, and injecting the medicine into the joint in the first place is typically not painful as well.
- Slight pain and tingling can be expected as the needle is withdrawn from the joint.
