Joint Injections - Knees
Specialist Knee Joint Injections in London
At Rejuvence Clinic, we provide diagnosis-led knee injection treatments for pain, swelling and reduced mobility. All injections are selected following careful clinical assessment and, where appropriate, ultrasound guidance, supporting safe symptom relief and structured rehabilitation.
Knee Joint Injections
Knee pain and swelling are common causes of reduced mobility and functional limitation. Symptoms may arise from joint degeneration, inflammation of the surrounding bursae, ligament injury, or accumulation of excess joint fluid (effusion).
While many knee conditions improve with physiotherapy, strengthening and activity modification, knee injections can play an important role in symptom management when pain or swelling persists.
At Rejuvence Clinic, knee injections are offered as part of an evidence-based treatment plan tailored to the underlying diagnosis and individual patient needs.
Knee Conditions We Treat
Injection therapy may be considered for:
Selected sports-related knee ligament injuries
Corticosteroid (Steroid) Injections
Corticosteroid injections are commonly used to manage inflammatory knee conditions. They work by reducing inflammatory activity within the joint or surrounding soft tissues, helping to relieve pain and swelling in the short to medium term.
In knee effusion, steroid injections may be used after aspiration to reduce ongoing inflammation. For patellar bursitis, steroid injections can help settle local inflammation when conservative measures such as rest and compression have not been sufficient. In knee osteoarthritis, steroid injections are frequently used to manage pain flares and improve mobility, particularly in patients who are not yet considering surgical options.
Steroid injections are used judiciously and are typically combined with physiotherapy and lifestyle modification rather than used as a long-term standalone treatment.
Summary – Steroid Injections- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Commonly used in knee effusion and bursitis
- Effective for short-term symptom control in knee arthritis
- * Best used alongside rehabilitation
Hyaluronic Acid Injection (Ostenil Plus®)
Hyaluronic acid injections aim to improve joint lubrication and reduce mechanical pain associated with cartilage wear. Ostenil Plus is a high-purity formulation used in degenerative joint disease. In the knee, hyaluronic acid injections are widely used for knee osteoarthritis, with evidence suggesting improvements in pain and function in selected patients, particularly in mild to moderate disease. They may be considered where a non-steroidal option is preferred or where repeated steroid injections are not appropriate.
Hyaluronic acid injections are not routinely used for patellar bursitis or acute knee effusion unless degenerative joint changes are contributing to symptoms.
Summary – Hyaluronic Acid- Improves joint lubrication and shock absorption
- Evidence-based option for knee osteoarthritis
- Non-steroidal treatment
- Variable response depending on disease stage
Hydrodistension (Not Routinely Used for Knee Conditions)
Hydrodistension is primarily used in frozen shoulder and is not routinely performed for knee effusion, bursitis or knee arthritis. It is not considered a standard treatment for knee joint pathology.
Summary – Hydrodistension- Not routinely used for knee conditions
- Alternative treatments preferred
- * Diagnosis-led decision making
Aspiration (Knee Joint or Bursa Aspiration)
Aspiration involves the removal of excess fluid from the knee joint or a swollen bursa. This can reduce pain caused by pressure and improve movement. Aspiration may also provide diagnostic information when inflammatory or infective causes are suspected.
In knee effusion, aspiration is commonly performed to relieve swelling and may be combined with injection therapy. In patellar bursitis, aspiration may be considered where swelling is significant or recurrent.
Summary – Joint Aspiration- Reduces pressure and swelling
- Useful in knee effusion and bursitis
- May assist diagnosis
- * Often combined with injection treatment
Regenerative Medicine and Knee Ligament Injuries (ExoSmart™)
Autologous exosome-based injections (ExoSmart™) are an emerging area of regenerative medicine, using biologically active extracellular vesicles derived from a patient’s own blood sample. These vesicles are involved in cellular communication and inflammatory modulation. Clinical interest includes sports-related knee ligament injuries, such as low-grade collateral ligament injuries and chronic ligament strain, where inflammation and delayed healing may limit recovery. Early laboratory and clinical studies suggest that exosome-based therapies may help modulate inflammation and support tissue repair processes, potentially improving pain and function in selected patients.
However, this remains an evolving area of medicine. While early results are encouraging, high-quality long-term clinical evidence is still developing. At Rejuvence Clinic, this option is offered only after careful assessment and informed discussion, and outcomes may vary.
Summary – Autologous Exosome Injection- Patient-derived regenerative treatment
- Considered in selected sports-related knee ligament injuries
- Emerging evidence suggests potential improvement in pain and function
- * Individualised patient selection with informed consent
Your Knee Injection Specialist
Mr Ameerudhin Ahamed
MBBS, MRCS, FRCS, PG Cert (MSK USGI) Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon Barts Health NHS Trust
Mr Ameerudhin Ahamed is a GMC-registered consultant orthopaedic surgeon with extensive experience in musculoskeletal medicine and ultrasound-guided injections. He qualified with an MBBS in 2000 and has held full GMC registration since 2007.
He completed advanced postgraduate training in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery across major London hospitals, including the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, and was awarded FRCS (Trauma & Orthopaedics) in 2016. He also holds a Postgraduate Certification in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound-Guided Injection.
At Rejuvence Clinic, Mr Ahamed provides specialist assessment and ultrasound-guided knee injections, integrating injection therapy into a broader care plan that may include physiotherapy, strengthening programmes and return-to-sport guidance.
Relief varies, but benefits may last weeks to months, particularly when combined with physiotherapy.
Injections help manage symptoms but do not reverse arthritis. They are used to improve function and quality of life.
Aspiration is commonly performed and generally safe when done by experienced clinicians, with risks discussed during consultation.
Research is ongoing. Early studies suggest potential benefit in selected cases, but outcomes vary and long-term evidence is still developing.
References & Further Reading
1. NICE CKS. Knee pain and swelling: assessment and management. 2. NICE CKS. Bursitis – prepatellar: management. 3. McAlindon TE et al. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections for knee osteoarthritis. JAMA. 4. Bannuru RR et al. Hyaluronic acid injections for knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 5. Li Z et al. Extracellular vesicles and musculoskeletal tissue repair. Stem Cell Research & Therapy.
