I have seen patients before having a knee injection wonder if it would be possible for them to walk after the injection or would walking diminish the results of the cortisone shots.
As a diagnostic radiographer who has assisted doctors perfume these injections, I will share my experience on the matter and delve into medical studies.
Enjoy reading!😀
Any questions? remarks? Let’s meet in the comments section at the end of this article.🙏
Last updated: Oct 2024. Written by Juliet Semakula a diagnostic radiographer
Disclaimer: no affiliate links.
Summary: walking just after a knee injection is ok, you can only adjust based on how you feel after. Rest assured it will not diminish the results of the injection.
▶️What type of knee injection am I talking about?
Let’s first understand what type of knee injections we are talking about.
Knee injections help to reduce inflammation and manage your pain. They are usually not standalone treatments but rather a means to an end.
Different Injections may be appropriate for joints throughout your body, including your knee, hip, shoulder, ankle, sacroiliac (SI) joint, and facet (spine) joints.
Here are some of the injections used:
🟠Corticosteroid injections
🟠Knee gel injections made of hyaluronic acid
🟠Prolotherapy injections
🟠Visco supplementation
🟠Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
Regardless of the issue that prompted the injection, Pain caused by knee osteoarthritis, inflammation caused by wear and tear or meniscal injury, tendinopathies and bursitis. The most frequently asked question is, can you walk on the same day after a knee injection.
▶️Can you walk on the same day as the knee injection?
Yes, walking is permitted. You could walk the same day after a knee injection especially if you went in walking before the injection, I mean you were not in a wheelchair.
Most patients I see in x-ray after a knee injection most of them walk after the procedure with out any problem
Here are two theoretical reasons for saying so
1️⃣To avoid knee stiffness, usually when you remain immobile after the knee injection, there is a risk of developing joint stiffness.
2️⃣Gentle walking stimulates circulation which can help with swelling and inflammation of the knee
However, you should always take it easy and rest after the injection for at least 24-48 hours. When you decide to walk try to take it slow, gentle walks for short distances if you feel able to.
▶️Should you walk less than usual in the days following the injection
You may be wondering how far you can resume walking after the injection especially if you have been used to walking long distances before.
If you’re older or have multiple conditions that make it more difficult to get up and about, you may need to rest longer and move your knee with simple sited exercises instead of walking.
It’s advisable to take slow, gentle walks for short distances if you feel able to in the first days following the injection.
Your symptoms, like pain and inflammation, might not get better immediately. It can take up to a week for a cortisone shot to take effect. So, avoiding activities that may put pressure on your knee.
If you are a person who does not walk a lot, just for daily activities, then there is no indication that you should walk less than usual.
But if you are used to walking more than 10,000 steps per day then yes it might be better to limit your walking a bit in the first 7 days following the injection.
▶️Why should you avoid walking long distances in the first 7 days after a knee injection?
Here are four theoretical reasons for saying so:
1️⃣Allow the steroid to work
After the injection you may feel temporary pain, swelling or fluid accumulation in the injected knee. (About 2% of all injections).
So, it is important to rest the leg by elevating it to minimise swelling because it will help reduce inflammation effectively and allow the injection to work.
2️⃣Prevent systemic absorption
There is also the possibility of an increase in discomfort within 48 hours of the injection. This is called a “steroid flare-up.”
Cortisone works best if it remains in the targeted area, so resting can stop the steroid being absorbed by the blood or other tissues in the body
3️⃣Minimise the risk of cartilage damage
Cartilage damage is a known side effect of steroid injections, but the risk can be reduced by resting for a few days after the procedure.
4️⃣Prevent knee stiffness.
It is also important for the joint to be kept moving, if this is not painful to avoid joint knee stiffness and pain.
▶️Do you need crutches to walk after a knee injection
You do not need a crutch to walk after a knee injection unless you had mobility issues before the injection.
Even if you limp a bit after the injection with little pain, you can certainly walk without crutches.
You may decide to use a walking stick to relieve some pressure which is less cumbersome than crutches if you need to.
For elderly patients struggling to walk your doctor can provide you with crutches to help you move around without putting weight on the joint.
▶️3 exercises you can do after a cortisone injection in the knee to help avoid stiffness.
When done safely, exercise can be a great way to maintain mobility in your knee after a cortisone injection.
A physical therapist can work with you to design an exercise routine that will safely support your recovery after a cortisone shot in your knee.
1️⃣Hamstring stretch
♦️ Start by standing in front of a chair. Place your right foot on the chair with your heel flat on the surface and toes pointed up.
♦️Slowly bend forward at the waist while keeping your back straight.
♦️Hold for 10 seconds before returning to standing. Alternate feet and repeat five to 10 times, or as tolerated.
2️⃣Quad Set
♦️Start by sitting down with one leg straight and the other leg bent.
♦️Place a small towel or pillow under the knee of the leg that is straight.
♦️️ Press the back of your knee down into the towel to engage the muscle on the top of your thigh and hold it for five seconds.
Repeat for one to two sets of 10 repetitions. It is important to do this exercise on both legs to maintain symmetry and protect the unaffected side.
3️⃣Bridges
♦️Start lying on your back with both legs bent and feet flat.
♦️Tighten your abdominal muscles by pulling your belly button toward the floor and then squeeze your glute muscles to lift your hips up in the air.
♦️Hold for one to two seconds and then slowly lower back down.
♦️Repeat for one to two sets of 10 repetitions.
Tip: The focus is on engaging your glutes, so only lift as high as you can go without arching your back.
If you have back pain with this exercise, stop and consult a physiotherapy for further guidance.
▶️What can you not do after a steroid injection in the knee?
If you received a cortisone shot in your knee, stay off your feet when you can in the first 24 hours.
🔵Use ice on the injection site as needed to relieve pain.
🔵Don’t use heating pads.
🔵Not use a bathtub, hot tub or whirlpool for two days.
We have come to the end of this article, wishing you a quick recovery🙋
I will soon write an article on the benefits of knee injections in future.
📚Sources:
Phillips M, Bhandari M, Grant J, Bedi A, Trojan T, Johnson A, Schemitsch E. A Systematic Review of Current Clinical Practice Guidelines on Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid, Corticosteroid, and Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis: An International Perspective. Orthop J Sports Med. 2021 Aug 31;9(8):23259671211030272. doi: 10.1177/23259671211030272. PMID: 34485586; PMCID: PMC8414628.
Sakamoto J, Miyahara S, Motokawa S, Takahashi A, Sasaki R, Honda Y, Okita M. Regular walking exercise prior to knee osteoarthritis reduces joint pain in an animal model. PLoS One. 2023 Aug 10;18(8):e0289765. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289765. PMID: 37561757; PMCID: PMC10414568.
Özkan Ö, Babayeva N, Torgutalp ŞŞ, Kara ÖS, Dönmez G, Korkusuz F. Pain during walking and ascending stairs before hyaluronic acid injection was common in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a qualitative study. Turk J Med Sci. 2021 Apr 30;51(2):693-699. doi: 10.3906/sag-2007-248 PMID: 33244944; PMCID: PMC8203138.
https://docpods.com.au/pages/foot-pain-info-hamstring-stretch-standing