Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of knee pain in adults. It happens when the joint gradually becomes worn and less able to tolerate load, which can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced confidence with walking, stairs, exercise or sport.
At Momentum Joint Care, we offer doctor-led assessment and ultrasound-guided injection treatments for knee osteoarthritis, including corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma injections.
What is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a condition where the knee joint becomes worn over time. This can affect the cartilage, underlying bone, joint lining and surrounding soft tissues.
Although it is often described as “wear and tear”, symptoms can fluctuate "wear, tear and repair". Some people have mild background discomfort, while others experience painful flare-ups where the knee feels swollen, irritated or inflamed.
Common Symptoms
Knee osteoarthritis can cause:
Pain during walking, stairs or standing from a chair
Swelling or a feeling of fullness in the knee
Clicking, grinding or crunching sensations
Reduced confidence with activity or exercise
Short-lived stiffness after rest or first thing in the morning
Flare-ups where the knee feels more painful, warm or inflamed
If stiffness is prolonged, especially lasting more than 30–60 minutes in the morning, or if multiple joints are affected, it may be worth considering other causes such as inflammatory arthritis.
Not everyone with knee osteoarthritis needs an injection.
Important non-injection treatments include:
Physiotherapy and strengthening exercises
Weight loss where relevant, as even modest weight reduction can reduce pressure through the knee
Activity modification rather than complete rest
Appropriate footwear
Pain relief medication where suitable
Managing flare-ups early
Injections can be helpful when symptoms are not settling, when pain is limiting activity, or when someone needs a window of pain relief to engage better with rehabilitation.
Corticosteroid injections are anti-inflammatory injections used to reduce pain and swelling inside the knee joint.
They can be particularly useful for moderate to advanced osteoarthritis, especially when the knee is swollen, irritated or in an “angry” inflammatory flare.
A steroid injection may be appropriate when:
The knee is painful and swollen
Symptoms have suddenly worsened
Pain is limiting walking, work, sleep or exercise
You need short-term pain relief to help with physiotherapy or activity
You have established osteoarthritis and are trying to manage symptoms without, or while awaiting, surgery
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in healthy joint fluid. In osteoarthritis, the quality and quantity of joint fluid can change, affecting lubrication and shock absorption.
A hyaluronic acid injection may be suitable when:
Symptoms are more mechanical than inflammatory
The knee is painful with activity but not very swollen
You are trying to avoid repeated steroid injections
You want a treatment option that may provide more gradual symptom improvement
You have mild to moderate osteoarthritis, although it can also be used in advanced arthritis, sometimes in combination with steroids.
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is prepared from a sample of your own blood. It contains a concentrated amount of platelets, which release growth factors involved in tissue repair and inflammation regulation.
PRP may be considered for:
Mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis
Active patients who want to maintain sport, exercise or mobility
Patients looking for a non-steroid option
Longer-term symptom improvement rather than immediate pain relief
If knee pain is affecting your walking, exercise or quality of life, we can help.
At Momentum Joint Care, we provide doctor-delivered assessment and ultrasound-guided injections for suitable patients with knee osteoarthritis. Following assessment, we will discuss whether an injection is appropriate and which treatment option may be most suitable for your condition.