Gel shots come up a lot when people with knee arthritis sit down with us. Usually they’ve heard about them from a friend at church or a neighbor who swears by them, and they want to know if it’s worth trying. That’s a fair question. Here are the questions we hear most, answered the way we’d answer them in the exam room.
What’s Inside the Shot?
It’s hyaluronic acid, which is a natural part of the fluid inside your joints. In a healthy knee, that fluid is thick and slippery. Arthritis thins it out. The gel puts some of that thickness back so the joint has a bit more cushion when you walk.
Is It the Same as a Cortisone Shot?
No, and people mix them up all the time. Cortisone is a steroid that knocks down inflammation, usually within a few days, but it tends to wear off and you can only have so many. Gel doesn’t work that way. It’s slower, but for people who respond, the relief can stretch out for several months.
Will It Work for My Knee?
That depends mostly on how much arthritis you have. It tends to help most when:
- The arthritis is mild to moderate and there’s still some space in the joint
- You’ve already put real effort into exercise and pain pills, and the knee still aches
- Ibuprofen and similar pills bother your stomach, or your doctor told you to lay off them
- A new knee is something you’d rather put off for now
Knees where the bone is rubbing on bone usually don’t get as much out of it. We’ll look at your X-rays together and be straight with you.
Does It Hurt?
Honestly, the worrying beforehand is usually worse than the shot. After a quick swipe to clean the skin, the needle is in and out of the joint before you’ve finished your sentence. A swollen knee might get some fluid drawn off first, and plenty of people feel lighter on that leg right then. Expect a little soreness that night.
So When Does It Kick In?
It doesn’t happen right away, which surprises people. Depending on the brand, you’ll get either one shot or a handful of them about a week apart. If it’s going to help you, the change usually creeps in a few weeks after the final injection. For the first couple of days after a shot, go easy and save that walk around Veterans Oasis Park for the weekend.
Is There Anything I Can Do to Help It Along?
There is. Your quads and hip muscles act as shock absorbers for the knee, and building them up while the gel is doing its thing is a smart move. The patients who keep moving tend to be the ones who are happiest with the shot three months later.
If your knee arthritis is wearing you down, come see us at Modern Medicine of Gilbert, AZ. We’ll go over your options and help you decide if a gel shot is a good fit.
