Knee and Finger Joint Injections: Relieve Pain and Inflammation Without Surgery

Joint injections, such as knee joint injections, may sound scary to many people. Some may worry about pain or possible side effects. However, this type of injection is actually a common and effective medical treatment, especially for people who suffer from joint pain caused by conditions such as knee osteoarthritis, joint inflammation, or trigger finger.

The treatment can help relieve pain quickly and allow patients to use their joints more comfortably again. For example, trigger finger injections involve injecting medication directly into the affected area to reduce inflammation and help loosen the tendon, allowing the finger to move more smoothly.

What Does a Knee Joint Injection Help With?

A joint injection is a treatment used to relieve pain and inflammation caused by conditions such as knee osteoarthritis, knee swelling, knee pain, or injuries.

Types of Medications Used for Knee Joint Injections

Steroid (Corticosteroids)

Steroid (Corticosteroids)

Corticosteroid injections are used to relieve knee pain caused by inflammation. Steroids help reduce the inflammatory process in the tissues around the joint. As a result, patients experience less pain, reduced swelling, and improved knee movement.

This type of injection can help reduce pain and inflammation within 24 to 48 hours.

Hyaluronic Acid - HA

Hyaluronic Acid – HA

Normally, the knee joint contains synovial fluid, which mainly consists of hyaluronic acid. Injecting hyaluronic acid directly into the knee joint helps the joint function better and reduces stiffness, tightness, and pain.

This substance has properties similar to the natural fluid in the human knee joint. It acts as a lubricant for the joint surface, helps absorb shock, and reduces friction between the cartilage in the knee joint. It also helps stimulate the joint lining to produce more joint fluid. In general, injections are given once a week for 3 to 5 consecutive weeks.

The treatment results are usually noticeable within 2 to 4 weeks after the injection.

PRP - Platelet-Rich Plasma

PRP – Platelet-Rich Plasma

This treatment involves taking the patient’s blood and spinning it in a high-speed machine to separate the platelets. The separated fluid is then injected into the knee joint. These platelets help promote tissue repair and stimulate the formation of new tissue. They also increase the production of natural joint fluid, reduce friction in the knee joint, and help relieve pain. In most cases, injections are given once a week for 2–3 weeks.

Treatment results can usually be seen from 4 to 6 weeks onward.

How much does a knee joint injection cost?

• The starting price for a joint injection in the knee or finger is 1,200 THB.
• This price does not include the cost of medication, and the total cost may change depending on the doctor’s diagnosis.

Who is suitable for joint injections?

• Patients whose knee joints are not severely damaged or deformed, and who do not have infections in the skin or knee joint.
• Patients whose symptoms have not improved after taking pain relief medication and undergoing physical therapy.
• Patients who are unable to undergo knee replacement surgery.

How is a joint injection performed?

1. The patient will be placed in an appropriate position. The injection area will then be cleaned with alcohol or iodine.
2. Before the injection, ultrasound may be used to improve accuracy.
3. In some cases, the doctor may inject a local anesthetic to reduce pain, depending on the situation.
4. If there is a large amount of fluid in the knee joint, the doctor will drain the fluid first.
5. The medication is then injected into the joint. After the procedure, the doctor will remove the needle, clean the injection site again, and apply a bandage.
6. In the case of PRP injections, there will be an additional step of collecting the patient’s blood and spinning it in a centrifuge to separate the platelets before the injection. This process takes about 15 minutes.

How Should You Prepare for a Joint Injection?

How Long Do the Effects Last?

• Steroid injections: Effects last about 6 to 12 weeks.
• Hyaluronic Acid (HA): Effects last about 3 to 6 months.
• PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): Effects last about 6 to 12 months.

Does a Joint Injection Hurt?

During the injection, you may feel pressure or a slight burning sensation. After the injection, there may be pain or swelling at the injection site for 1–2 days. After that, the pain will gradually improve.

Doctor’s recommendations

Advice After a Knee Joint Injection

• Avoid using the knee joint for about 2–3 days after the injection, or until the soreness from the injection goes away.
• If there is pain or swelling after the injection, you can apply a cold compress 2–3 times a day and take pain relief medication such as paracetamol to help reduce pain and swelling.
• See a doctor immediately if any unusual symptoms occur, such as a rash or severe pain, swelling, redness, or warmth.

Warangkana Vivulsirikul ,M.D.
General Practitioner

Latest edit : 13/03/2026

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