Gel Injections for Knee Pain in Riverdale, GA
Hyaluronic acid injections for a worn knee, covered by most major plans and Medicare
Call (470) 895-0610 or Book an evaluation
483 Upper Riverdale Road SW, Suite F, Riverdale, GA 30274
Monday to Wednesday 9 to 5, Thursday 9 to 3, closed Friday to Sunday
Gel injections are part of the covered side of our program. The evaluation, the imaging and the gel injections are covered by most major medical insurance and Medicare. PRP is typically elective and not covered by most plans, so it is a cash service. Brace coverage depends on your plan, and we check it before anything is ordered.
Near Riverdale, GA?
We treat knees, shoulders, hips and backs without surgery at one clinic on Upper Riverdale Road. Send the form or call and our team will confirm your visit.
483 Upper Riverdale Road SW, Suite F, Riverdale, GA 30274. Most major insurance and Medicare accepted. PRP is typically elective and not covered by most plans, and our team can walk you through payment plans through Pathways.
What a gel injection is
A healthy knee is full of a thick, slippery fluid. It cushions the joint and lets the surfaces glide past each other. As a knee wears, that fluid thins out, and the joint starts to feel like it is grinding rather than gliding.
A gel injection puts some of that thickness back. The medical name is hyaluronic acid, or viscosupplementation. Patients usually just call it the gel shot, or the knee gel.
It is given in the office. You are in and out the same morning.
What it does, honestly
It makes a worn knee more comfortable to move. People describe less of the deep ache at the end of the day, easier stairs, and being able to stand in a queue without shifting their weight around.
Here is what it does not do, and we would rather you hear this from us than find it out later.
It does not rebuild cartilage. It does not stop arthritis progressing. It is not a permanent fix, and the relief fades, which is why patients often come back for another course down the road. And it does not work for everyone. Some knees respond well, some respond a little, and some do not respond at all. Nobody can tell in advance which knee is which.
If your knee is very far gone, the honest answer may be that the gel will not give you much, and we will say so rather than take you through a course of injections that was never going to help.
Who it suits
Gel injections are mainly for knee osteoarthritis, which is the wear-and-tear kind. They tend to be considered when over-the-counter tablets and activity changes are not holding the pain any more, and when you are either not ready for a joint replacement or not a candidate for one.
They can sit alongside other things in your plan. Many patients have a gel course and an unloader brace at the same time, with physical therapy arranged by referral at a practice near them. Drawing off fluid first, if the knee is swollen, often makes the injection easier to place and more comfortable.
How many injections, and how it is given
That depends on which hyaluronic acid product your provider selects. Some are a single injection. Others are a short series, usually spaced about a week apart. You will know which one applies to you before your first appointment is booked, so you can plan around it.
The injection is placed with image guidance so the medicine goes where it is meant to go rather than into the soft tissue around the joint. Where the target needs confirming precisely, that may include a knee arthrogram, which is an imaging step using contrast and X-ray guidance.
Afterwards
Expect the knee to feel a bit full and sore for a day or two. That is normal. Most people walk out and carry on with their day.
Take it easy on deep squats, kneeling, heavy lifting and long flights of stairs for a few days. Ice helps if the knee is puffy.
Gel injections do not work like cortisone. They are not instant. Many patients notice the difference over the following few weeks rather than the following few days, and if you are on a series, the full effect is judged after the last injection rather than the first.
We record a baseline score for your pain and function at the evaluation, and we reassess at three months against that number. If the knee has not moved, we change the approach.
What it costs
Gel injections for the knee are covered by most major medical insurance and by Medicare when the medical criteria are met. You may still owe a copay, coinsurance or deductible depending on your plan.
We verify your benefits before treatment starts and tell you what your share will be, so there is no surprise on the day. If a balance needs spreading out, we have payment plans through Pathways, and we take CareCredit. Our guide to what knee gel injections cost walks through the ranges and how coverage works.
Call (470) 895-0610 with your insurance card in hand and we will check it for you.
This page is general information about treatments we offer. It is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.
Book an evaluation
We cannot say over the phone whether the gel is right for your knee. That needs an examination and images of the joint. Call (470) 895-0610 or book an evaluation.
Questions about gel injections
Does Medicare cover gel injections for the knee?
Yes, when the medical criteria are met. Original Medicare Part B and the Medicare Advantage plans we are in network with generally cover hyaluronic acid injections for knee osteoarthritis. We confirm your specific benefit before anything is scheduled.
How is a gel injection different from cortisone?
Cortisone is a steroid. It works fast on inflammation and then wears off, and there is a sensible yearly limit per joint. The gel is not a steroid and not an anti-inflammatory. It works more slowly, lasts longer for many people, and is aimed at how the joint moves rather than at calming a flare. Some patients have both, at different points.
Does it hurt?
Most patients describe pressure rather than sharp pain, and it is over in a moment. The knee often feels full for a day or so afterwards.
How long before I can tell if it worked?
Give it a few weeks. If you are on a series, judge it after the last injection rather than the first. We reassess formally at three months against the baseline score taken at your evaluation.