Does cortisone injection treat knee osteoarthritis?

Knee osteoarthritis can irritate the joint lining and cause pain, stiffness, swelling, or difficulty with stairs and walking. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory medicine placed inside the joint. It can calm irritation and make movement more comfortable while the effect lasts. The injection treats symptoms rather than the underlying wear. Relief varies between people and may fade, so it is usually considered alongside exercise therapy, activity changes, weight management when relevant, and other options chosen with a clinician.

A clinician should first check that the pain is coming from the knee joint and review your medicines, health conditions, and previous injections. Tell them about diabetes, an infection, blood-thinning medicine, or a planned operation. After an injection, follow the advised activity plan; a short period of relative rest may be recommended before gradual movement. Keep using the rehabilitation plan that improves strength and knee control rather than relying on injections alone.

Seek prompt medical advice for a hot, increasingly swollen knee, fever, drainage from the injection site, or pain that becomes severe rather than settling. Sudden calf swelling, chest pain, or breathlessness needs urgent help. Arrange review if knee pain continues to limit sleep, walking, or daily activities despite the agreed plan.

Ask what structure is causing your pain, what improvement is realistic, how the injection fits with physiotherapy, and which symptoms should be reported after the procedure.