Are Cortisone Injections Really Necessary For Curing Inflammation In Knee?

Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2015

Question: Greetings again, Dr. XXXXXXX I am scheduled to start my Sapartz injections into my knee on Sunday. The doctor suggested first a cortisone injection to reduce inflammation although I have no actual joint pain but rather discomfort caused by muscle/tendon compensation.
Is the antiinflammatory injection really all that necessary before starting the joint lubrication injections?
I have read that people want to avoid injecting cortisone wherever possible, and in my case I have no real joint pain (yet) as opposed to muscle tightening and tendinopathy etc.

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is not necessary.

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir,

If there is not so much pain and inflammation, it is not necessary to go for cortisone injection before starting the joint lubricant injections.

Hope this helps you.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (8 minutes later)

They are going to do five times once a week of Supartz. In physiotherapy in massage I find very sore the muscle area just above the knee on the outer right side. Is that from atrophy or just tightened muscle from compensation that will never go away?
Indeed in the massage I also have soreness behind the knee on the muscle leading down to the knee.

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Just tightened muscle from compensation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir,

Soreness in the area seems to be due to just tightened muscle from compensation.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar