Knee osteoarthritis is a complex disease that affects the whole joint, including bone, cartilage, ligaments and muscles. Osteoarthritis is a common cause of pain and movement difficulty, affecting 8.3% of people in Australia.

When pain persists, many people look for quick, convenient options, such as injections. Clinics offer several types of knee injections, including:

Some are heavily marketed with promises to “repair” or “regenerate” the joint. But what does the evidence actually say about these claims, or the ability of knee injections to reduce pain and improve mobility?

Corticosteroid injections

Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications that can reduce pain and swelling in the joint.

They are conditionally recommended in guidelines because they can be helpful for short-term relief, particularly during a flare-up.

However, a 2024 systematic review found meaningful benefits only in the first few weeks. They lose their effectiveness after about six weeks.

There are also some concerns about repeated use. One trial found corticosteroid injections every three months over two years did not improve pain, and were associated with greater cartilage loss than a placebo.

For this reason, guidelines recommend using corticosteroid injections cautiously for short-term relief rather than ongoing treatment.

Hyaluronic acid injections

Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in joint fluid. These injections aim to improve “lubrication” or “shock absorption” within the........

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