Will I Have Swelling After Subchondral Injections for Knee Arthritis?

Arthritis can lead to persistent symptoms of joint discomfort, stiffness, and inflammation. Without effective treatment, symptoms become chronic and can severely restrict mobility and daily function. At Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta, Dr. Christopher Williams has been serving patients throughout Atlanta, GA to help meet their arthritic-related needs. One of the treatment options available at our office is subchondral injections, which are particularly beneficial for knee arthritis.

What is knee arthritis?

Knee arthritis affects the joints and cartilage tissue of the knee, causing swelling, stiffness, and inflammation. There are multiple types of arthritis, but the following two are the most common:

Osteoarthritis: when cartilage tissue begins to break down
Rheumatoid arthritis: an immunological disorder that develops in the lining of the joints

Knee arthritis, if left untreated, can cause debilitating and painful symptoms.

What are common symptoms of knee arthritis?

Common symptoms of knee arthritis include:

Swelling around the knee joint
Inflammation of the knee joint
Joint stiffness
Joint deformity
Immobility or inflexibility of the knee joint
Pain with range of motion at the knee joint
Increased pain at the knee with long periods of sitting
Anemia, weight loss, and fatigue in severe cases

Although many patients may have symptoms in common, some display symptoms in a unique manner. At Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta, Dr. Williams assesses your symptoms and develops a customized intervention plan.

What is the Subchondroplasty® procedure?

The Subchondroplasty procedure uses a biologic that is injected into the knee bone. Subchondral injections are made up of bone marrow concentrate, platelet rich plasma (PRP), bone substitute material (BSM), or a calcium phosphate material similar to natural bone structures. The injection serum fills bone lesions in the joint, reducing pain related to knee arthritis and improving the overall function of the knee.

Am I an ideal candidate for subchondral injections?

Both men and women residing in or near Atlanta, GA are viable candidates for subchondral injections if they:

Have noticeable defects in the tissue or bone of the knee
Have tried other interventions with little to no success

Dr. Williams will collect your personal and medical histories to determine if subchondral injections are safe and right for you.

How does the treatment process work?

Prior to a subchondral injection, Dr. Williams will need to harvest some of your cells for the bone marrow or PRP portion of the serum. This prevents irritation and bodily rejection. The patient will also participate in digital imaging, such as an x-ray or MRI to properly assess the injection site.

Injections are an outpatient procedure that can be completed within the comforts of one of our private treatment rooms at Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta. The injection is made in conjunction with an arthroscopy so that Dr. Williams has an accurate visualization of where the injection needs to go. Once the injection is complete, patients are free to return home the same day.

Will I have swelling after subchondral injections for knee arthritis?

Patients may expect some swelling at the injection site after treatment, which resolves on its own within a day or two. Patients often notice results from subchondral injections within 6 – 8 weeks, which include:

Reduced joint pain
Reduced inflammation and stiffness
Increased joint mobility, range, and strength

Depending on the severity of each case, some patients may require more than one subchondral injection. Consult with Dr. Williams about your customized treatment plan and what to expect for recommended future appointments.

Learn more about subchondral injections for knee arthritis

If you reside in or near Atlanta, GA, and traditional interventions for knee arthritis are proving ineffective, contact our team at Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta and schedule a consultation today. Dr. Christopher Williams will assess your symptoms and help ascertain if subchondral injections are the right treatment path for you.