Which Knee Injection is BEST for Arthritis Pain Relief?

In this video, I review common knee injections for osteoarthritis treatment. We go over a new clinical trial that compares cortisone injections, hyaluronic acid injections, platelet rich plasma injections, and saline injections.

► Things my patients have found helpful:
Please note that I get a lot of requests and questions about what equipment is ‘best’ for treating a variety of conditions. The following is not meant to be an exhaustive or definitive list. Please use it as a starting point. If you have questions, please discuss with your healthcare provider. With that said, I have tried a number of the products below, but not all. I have included some based on positive feedback from many of my patients. As an Amazon Associate, Dr Peng earns from qualifying purchases. If you purchase any product using the below affiliate links, you are helping Dr Peng maintain this channel.

*Supplements*
The following are Thorne supplements which are NSF certified. NSF independently assesses products without being affiliated with the companies that produce them. Not only do they certify that what’s on the label is in the bottle, they also do toxicology review to certify product formulation and contaminant review to ensure the product contains no undeclared ingredients or unacceptable levels of contaminants.

*Soft Tissue & Rehab*

*Braces & Supports*

*Recommended Textbooks & Resources*

► ABOUT ME

Jeffrey Peng MD is a nonoperative orthopedist and sports medicine specialist. He created a YouTube channel and blog to translate cutting edge medical knowledge and clinical research to benefit all those looking to live an active and healthy lifestyle. He focuses on maximizing non-surgical treatments for sports injuries and orthopedic conditions. He specializes in using orthobiologics and ultrasound guided minimally invasive techniques to treat osteoarthritis, tendinopathies, and musculoskeletal disorders.

Dr. Peng is board certified in sports medicine and family medicine. He completed residency with the Stanford family medicine residency program and completed his sports medicine training with the Stanford primary care sports medicine fellowship in San Jose. He is an active faculty member for both programs and is excited about training the next generation of physicians.

Dr. Peng’s sports medicine clinic is located in Campbell, California.

► Disclaimer

My content reflects my own opinion and does not represent the views or opinions of my employers or hospital systems I am affiliated with. They are meant for educational purposes only. They do not substitute for the medical advice of a physician. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding your health.

[scrabbleking]

I have grade 3 osteoarthritis in right knee and got a hyaluronic acid injection 5 weeks ago and started taking liposomal hyaluronic acid supplements 1000mg/day, took about week before i noticed much, but by 3 weeks I REALLY noticed a HUGE improvement.

[paintilludrop]

On my 3 rd shot in both knees . Also doing therapy. .back therapy..losing weight, bout Brooks shoes..
Now hoping it works!!

[pennyheck]

Nstride…..it’s a game changer…I have severe osteoarthritis…and have had them all…

[francishubertovasquez]

Excellent explanation Sir Jeffrey Peng MD, you're very good, concise and clear on product functionality and uses, you're also a gem for pharmaceutical companies. How about new methods of modulating brain signalling for pain levels.

[katherinegarelli]

Dear Dr. Pen, Is there a doctor in France who is doing this treatment? This make so much sense as in the cosmetic field women are now doing this procedure for their faces instead of fillers. I have started for the past year to have arthritis in one knee and my doctor advised injection therapy but I didn't do it. I am so happy to have found you on YouTube.
I wish I lived in the USA a d could be treated by you.
Best regards, Katherine Garelli

[inktvis]

Thanks doc. For your valuable advice☘️👍🌞

[haroldpinteresque]

Wary of cortisone injections due to side effects on the knee, did a series of 3 HA injections from one ortho. No improvement. Went to a leading surgeon in Chicago who recommended the HA injections as well. Told him of my experience. His one question: what brand was it? Had me hold out my 2 hands, squeezed Visco-something into one, this brand Gel One into the other. No comparison. I could FEEL the gel entering and filling my knee. Pain-free for a full 6 months. The only issue: it's really expensive. At what price comfort?

[pm]

Forget the pain. We want repair. I tried prp. Didn't work.

[karenbard]

Please do a video on gesticular artery embolization. Thanks!

[medsa]

Hi Dr.Jeff, I really like your explanations and tone. Your website is great too with the explanations, recovery plans, examinations, exercises and how to assess progression. It amazing.
One question, II am middle aged and I was diagnosed with Chromalacia thru MRI and a radiologist report. Then the Ortho-surgeon who looked at my radiologist report told I could take cortisone injection I wasn't very inclined but went ahead. It did not improve pain or symptoms. I see your video now and worry if my chondromalacia will progress faster to arthritis. What do you think ? Thanks

[thomasbritt]

I had a cortisone shot and it helped for about 2 weeks. I had a HA (Synvisc One) injection after that and my knee blew up. They drained 40CC of fluid from my my knee 2 weeks ago. I'm scheduled for a TKR in January 2025. I'm 62 and not looking forward to this.

[peggysoumakis]

I'm in financial pain. Insurance doesn't cover hyaluronic acid shots not covered by insurance. And prp shots aren't either. They cost upwards of 10 k. Our medical system is broken when we're quick to cut into the knee.

[MalibuGlow]

No wonder cortisone injections are the preferred option, faster way to for docs to charge for a knee replacement

[celiapartlow]

Asking if there are any studies or data indicating how long you should wait if you have a cortisone knee injection before having a prp injection?

[gugy]

Great channel, the doctor is very informative and well spoken. Subscribed! I have a question, I have bilateral patellofemoral arthritis and moderate PF chondromalcia on both knees, the right knee worse than the left. It doesn't hurt but my knees have cracking noises and I have hard time squatting because my right knee sometimes give up when doing it. My doctor said I have some bone spurs that could cause it. I'm very active in my 50s and a bit worried. I am doing the Knee Over Toes protocol and I notice my right knee gets swollen a bit but I persist.
I am wondering if going PRP is going to help and another possibility is Stem Cell that I heard quite a bit great results. I appreciate any feedback.

[maryhirsch]

What about for your hips! Mine are really making it hard to walk.

[darian]

But will these orthobiologic injections be able to regenerative tissue like ligaments, tendons, cartilage etc... After all, this is called regenerative medicine?

[brownmouse]

I had a bad knee for about 12 months I was given methotrexate Injections which I take once a week and I have no pain and I have not had any pain what so ever for nearly two years

[Jvadillo]

For PRP injections do they need to be guided woth ultrasound? Or is that not necessary?

[ndjako]

Hi,
I got the injection CINGAL in my both knee and I have now bigger pain then before. 😢