Orthopedics & Joint Pain
Knee Injections & Non-Surgical Care
Image-guided knee injections deliver cortisone, hyaluronic acid, or biologic therapies directly to the joint. They reduce arthritis pain, improve mobility, and often delay or avoid the need for knee replacement surgery.
AVERAGE PROCEDURE TIME
10 to 20 minutes
Anesthesia
Topical or local
Recovery
Immediate
Ride home
Required if you receive sedation
Overview
Image guidance ensures medication reaches the joint space rather than surrounding tissue, which meaningfully improves how well an injection works.
Options include corticosteroid for rapid inflammation control, hyaluronic acid for lubrication over months, and biologic therapies for selected patients.
Is this right for me?
Candidacy is confirmed after a review of your history, imaging, and medications. Patients we most often treat include those with:
- Knee osteoarthritis pain interfering with walking or sleep
- Wanting to delay or avoid knee replacement
- Flare of pain and swelling needing quick control
- Preparing to participate fully in physical therapy
What to expect, step by step
Arrival and preparation
You check in with a coordinator, change into a gown, and meet your nurse. Vitals are taken, an IV is started if needed, and your care team reviews the plan and answers questions with your caregiver present.
Ultrasound guidance
The joint space is visualized in real time and the needle path is confirmed before injection.
Medication delivery
The selected agent is injected into the joint and range of motion is checked.
Recovery suite
You rest in a private recovery bay while your nurse monitors vitals and comfort. Written instructions are reviewed with you and your caregiver before discharge.
Home the same day
A caregiver drives you home. A member of our team calls the next business day to check on you and confirm your follow-up appointment.
Recovery
Rest the knee for 24 hours, then resume normal activity. Ice helps any short-lived flare.
Steroid relief begins in days; hyaluronic acid builds over several weeks and can last six months.
Risks and what we watch for
Every procedure carries risk. These are the ones we discuss most often for this procedure.
- Bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the access site or incision
- Infection, which is why sterile technique and, when indicated, antibiotics are used
- Reaction to sedation, anesthesia, or contrast dye, monitored continuously by your anesthesia provider
- Incomplete relief of symptoms, or symptoms that return over time
- The need for additional treatment, imaging, or a different procedure
- Rarely, a complication serious enough to require a higher level of care than an outpatient setting provides
We review these with you in detail before you consent, and you can change your mind at any point.
Coverage note
We verify your benefits and give you a written estimate before scheduling.
Prepare for this procedure
- Before your surgery
- The day of your procedure
- Anesthesia and sedation
- Recovery at home and when to call
Frequently asked questions
How often can injections be repeated?
Steroid injections are typically limited to three or four per year per joint. Hyaluronic acid follows a set series.
What if injections stop helping?
Genicular artery embolization or radiofrequency ablation are the next non-replacement options we discuss.
Is image-guided knee injections done as an outpatient procedure?
Yes. It is performed at our ACHC-accredited ambulatory surgery center in The Woodlands, minutes from Tomball and Spring, and patients go home the same day with a caregiver.
Will my insurance cover it?
Coverage depends on your specific plan and benefits. Our team verifies your benefits and gives you a written estimate before anything is scheduled.
Do you offer Spanish-speaking support?
Yes. Bilingual English and Spanish coordination is available from your first call through recovery instructions and follow-up.
