Osteoarthritis Injections: What Works, What Doesn't, and What to Ask Your Doctor

When your knees, hips, or hands ache from osteoarthritis injections, injections used to relieve joint pain caused by wear-and-tear arthritis. Also known as joint injections, they’re a common next step after pills and physical therapy fail to give real relief. But not all injections are the same—and some don’t work for everyone. You might hear about cortisone shots, hyaluronic acid, or even PRP, but which ones actually help? And which ones are just expensive placebo tricks?

Cortisone shots, steroid injections that reduce inflammation in arthritic joints are the most common. They often bring quick relief—sometimes within days—but the effect fades after weeks or months. Repeated use can weaken cartilage over time, so most doctors limit them to three or four a year. Then there’s hyaluronic acid, a lubricant injected into the knee to mimic natural joint fluid. It’s supposed to act like oil in a squeaky hinge, but studies show mixed results. Some people feel better for months. Others feel nothing at all. And then there are newer options like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell injections. They sound promising, but the science is still early, and they’re rarely covered by insurance.

What really matters isn’t the brand or the buzzword—it’s your joint, your pain level, and your goals. If you’re trying to avoid surgery, injections might buy you time. If you’re looking for a permanent fix, they won’t deliver. And if you’ve had bad reactions to steroids before? That’s a red flag. The best candidates are people with moderate osteoarthritis who still have some joint space left—not those with bone-on-bone damage. Side effects? Rare, but infections and flare-ups happen. Always ask: What’s the evidence for this? What are the risks? And what happens if it doesn’t work?

You’ll find real stories below—from people who got relief with a single shot to those who wasted money on treatments that did nothing. We’ve pulled together comparisons, side effect reports, and patient experiences so you don’t have to guess what’s worth trying. No fluff. No marketing hype. Just what actually works—and what you should skip.