If chronic knee pain is keeping you from moving freely, you don’t have to jump straight to surgery. Injection-based knee pain treatments can quickly reduce inflammation, improve joint movement, and calm irritated nerves — often in just one short office visit.

At MAPS Centers for Pain Control in Chicago, our double board-certified physicians use image-guided injections such as corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, and growth factor therapies to deliver rapid, targeted relief right where it’s needed most.

“The goal of injection therapy isn’t to mask pain — it’s to help the joint move the way it was designed to move,” says Thomas Pontinen, MD, LCP-C, Co-Founder of MAPS Centers for Pain Control. “When we restore motion, we restore quality of life.”

Why Injections Matter in Modern Pain Medicine

Knee pain is one of the most common mobility-limiting conditions in the U.S., affecting millions every year. Whether caused by arthritis, injury, or inflammation, the pain often stems from irritated soft tissue inside the joint.
Injection therapy gives physicians a way to treat pain at its source, delivering medication directly into the joint space or surrounding tissue with pinpoint precision.

At MAPS, injections are never “one-size-fits-all.” Every treatment plan begins with a diagnostic evaluation to determine whether the pain is joint-driven, nerve-driven, or both. This ensures each patient receives the right medication, at the right location, in the right dose.

At MAPS, every treatment begins with a detailed diagnostic evaluation to pinpoint the exact source of pain — whether it’s inflammation, joint damage, or irritated nerves. Understanding what’s behind your discomfort is essential to lasting relief. You can learn more about the underlying causes in our guide, Common Causes of Knee Pain and How to Treat Them.

The Science Behind Injection-Based Relief

Knee injections typically target three major pain pathways:

Inflammation: Reducing chemical irritation in the joint capsule.
Lubrication: Replacing or supplementing synovial fluid to improve movement.
Nerve Response: Dulling or “resetting” hypersensitive pain receptors.

Because injections act locally, they minimize the systemic side effects seen with oral medication — meaning less strain on the stomach, liver, or kidneys, and faster, more focused results.

Injection-Based Therapy at MAPS

Many patients at MAPS Centers for Pain Control find relief through our injection-based knee pain treatments — a fast, non-surgical way to reduce inflammation, improve joint function, and stimulate healing within the body. These therapies deliver targeted medication or biologic compounds directly into the affected area, minimizing systemic side effects while promoting natural recovery.

Unlike oral medications that work broadly throughout the body, injections focus precisely where pain begins — helping patients return to movement and activity with minimal downtime. Depending on your diagnosis, your MAPS physician may recommend one or more of the following options:

1. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injections

Purpose: Joint lubrication and cushioning.
Healthy knees are filled with a gel-like fluid that helps bones glide smoothly. When arthritis depletes this fluid, every step can feel stiff or “gritty.” HA injections restore this lubrication, helping the joint move more naturally.

Benefits include:

Improved shock absorption
Smoother joint mechanics
Reduced stiffness and grinding sensations

At MAPS, hyaluronic acid injections are often part of a broader, customized approach designed to restore comfort and movement without surgery. To see how these therapies fit into a complete, non-surgical care program, visit our page on Knee Pain Treatment in Chicago – Non-Surgical & Innovative Solutions.

2. Platelet Rich Plasma

Purpose: To encourage the body’s natural healing response.
Growth factor therapy represents an exciting area of modern medicine, using concentrated components from a patient’s own blood to support tissue repair and reduce inflammation. These injections help stimulate new cell growth in damaged areas of the knee, improving recovery after injury and slowing the progression of chronic joint degeneration.

Benefits include:

Supports regeneration of soft tissue and cartilage
Reduces inflammation without steroids
Enhances long-term joint health

MAPS uses advanced image-guidance to ensure Platelet Rich Plasma are placed exactly where healing is needed most, optimizing both safety and outcomes.

3. Steroidal-Based Injections

Purpose: To rapidly reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Corticosteroid injections are among the most trusted and time-tested options for managing knee pain caused by arthritis, tendonitis, or bursitis. A small dose of anti-inflammatory medication is precisely injected into the joint space or surrounding tissues, calming inflammation and reducing pressure within minutes to hours.

What to expect:

Quick, in-office procedure (usually 10–15 minutes)
No incisions or sedation required
Pain relief that can last several weeks to several months

“These injections can make a life-changing difference for someone who’s been living in constant pain,” explains Thomas Pontinen, MD, LCP-C, Co-Founder of MAPS Centers for Pain Control. “The key is precision — getting the right therapy into the right location, at exactly the right time.”

A Personalized Approach

MAPS physicians often combine these therapies for more comprehensive results. For example, hyaluronic acid can restore lubrication while a steroid reduces inflammation, or a Platelet Rich Plasma can promote healing after inflammation subsides. Every plan is customized based on the underlying cause of pain, identified through diagnostic imaging and expert evaluation.

Combination Therapy: Injections + Nerve Care

In certain chronic cases, joint inflammation and nerve sensitivity overlap. MAPS physicians may recommend combining injections with genicular nerve ablation (GNA) or cryoneurolysis to calm the nerve pathways sustaining pain.
The result? More complete relief — addressing both the chemical and neurological components of knee pain.

What Makes MAPS Injection Therapy Different

Not all injections are equal. At MAPS Centers for Pain Control, every step is designed for precision and safety:

Image-Guided Accuracy – Ultrasound or fluoroscopy ensures medicine reaches the exact target.
Minimally Invasive – No general anesthesia or downtime.
Custom Treatment Plans – Tailored to activity level, age, and pain origin.
Integrated Care – Physicians coordinate follow-up physical conditioning and prevention guidance.

Most patients resume normal activities the same day. Some experience soreness at the injection site for 24 hours, followed by noticeable improvement in flexibility and comfort.

What to Expect During Treatment

Evaluation – Review of medical history, imaging, and pain pattern.
Preparation – Local anesthesia cleanses and numbs the injection site.
Guided Injection – Real-time imaging ensures exact placement.
Observation & Aftercare – Brief monitoring, with instructions for ice, activity, and follow-up.

Within days, most patients notice reduced swelling, easier walking, and less morning stiffness.

Realistic Expectations & Longevity

Relief duration varies by treatment type and individual factors:

Steroid injections: 1 to 3 months (sometimes longer)
Hyaluronic acid injections: 3 to 6 months
Platelet Rich Plasma: 6 months or more, depending on healing response
Combined therapy with nerve care: 6 months to 1 year or more

Many patients return every few months for maintenance therapy as part of a sustainable, non-surgical plan to preserve knee function long-term.

Lifestyle Tips to Extend Results

Stay active — low impact: Swimming, cycling, or elliptical training maintain joint mobility.
Watch weight: Each pound lost relieves about four pounds of knee stress.
Warm up properly: Gentle stretching before activity prevents reinjury.
Follow aftercare: Use ice and avoid heavy strain for 24 hours post-injection.

When to Re-Evaluate

If pain returns sooner than expected, or swelling persists, MAPS physicians can reassess the cause. Sometimes nerves become the main culprit after inflammation resolves — a transition that may call for nerve-based therapy instead of another injection.

Learn more about these advanced options on our page for Knee Pain Treatment in Chicago – Non-Surgical & Innovative Solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How fast do knee injections work?

Many patients begin noticing relief within 24 to 72 hours, especially after steroid injections. Lubricating (HA) or Platelet Rich Plasma may take a few days longer but tend to last longer overall.

Q: Are injection-based treatments painful?

Most MAPS patients describe only mild pressure or a quick pinch. Local anesthetic and image guidance make the experience fast and comfortable.

Q: How often can I get injections?

Depending on your condition and response, steroid injections may be repeated every 3–6 months, while HA or Platelet Rich Plasma are typically spaced further apart. Your MAPS physician will design a safe schedule.

Q: Can injections help after knee replacement?

Injections can’t be used directly in artificial joints, but nerve-focused procedures like genicular nerve ablation can relieve post-replacement pain by targeting surrounding nerves.

Q: What happens if injections don’t work?

If pain persists, MAPS physicians can explore other advanced options like radiofrequency nerve ablation or cryo-based therapies. Because these are non-surgical, patients can move from one option to another easily and safely.

Key Takeaways

Injection therapy offers rapid, localized relief without surgery.
Treatments are customized and image-guided for precision.
Relief duration varies but can last from weeks to a year.
Combining injections with nerve-based treatments can address multiple pain sources.
Early intervention prevents chronic damage and maintains mobility.

Your Path to Relief Starts Here

If knee pain has made it difficult to move comfortably or enjoy everyday life, the experts at MAPS Centers for Pain Control are here to help. Our board-certified physicians use advanced, non-surgical treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore confidence — all without lengthy recovery times.

Schedule your consultation today to learn whether injection therapy or another MAPS treatment is right for you.

Visit our Knee Pain Treatment in Chicago page to explore our full range of non-surgical solutions, or read Common Causes of Knee Pain and How to Treat Them to better understand what may be driving your discomfort.