What is the expected duration of relief after a Kenalog (Triamcinolone) knee injection?

From the Guidelines

It's normal for a Kenalog (triamcinolone acetonide) knee injection to take up to a week to provide relief, as supported by a 2021 study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings 1. This corticosteroid medication works by gradually reducing inflammation in the joint, which doesn't happen instantly. The typical dose ranges from 10-40 mg depending on the severity of inflammation and joint size. During the first few days after injection, some patients may actually experience a temporary increase in pain called a "steroid flare" before improvement begins. To manage discomfort during this waiting period, you can use:

• Ice packs (15-20 minutes several times daily)
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen if approved by your doctor
• Avoid strenuous activities involving the knee. The full benefits of Kenalog typically last 6-12 weeks, though this varies between individuals, as seen in studies comparing methylprednisolone and triamcinolone, where effects were time-limited without long-term improvement at 2-year follow-up 1. If you don't experience any improvement after 7-10 days, or if you develop signs of infection like increasing pain, redness, or fever, contact your healthcare provider promptly. It's also important to consider the potential long-term negative effects on bone health, joint structure, and meniscal thickness associated with repeat intra-articular corticosteroid administration, as noted in the 2021 study 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

KENALOG-40 Injection and KENALOG-80 Injection have an extended duration of effect which may be sustained over a period of several weeks The time it took for relief from a Kenalog knee injection, one week, is within the expected timeframe for the drug to take effect, as the duration of effect may be sustained over several weeks 2.

• The onset of action is not explicitly stated in the label, but the duration of effect is mentioned to be several weeks.
• Adrenal suppression occurs within 24 to 48 hours, but this is not directly related to the time to relief.

From the Research

Kenalog Knee Injection Relief

• The time it took for relief from a Kenalog knee injection is one week, which is relatively quick compared to some other treatments.
• According to a study published in 2018 3, significant pain relief was observed in patients receiving Triamcinolone injections at two and six weeks, but not at twelve weeks.
• Another study from 1995 4 compared the efficacy of intra-articular triamcinolone hexacetonide and hyaluronic acid in inflammatory knee osteoarthritis, and found that both treatments provided significant pain relief, although the hyaluronic acid group experienced less pain during the six-month follow-up period.
• A systematic review published in 2016 5 found that intra-articular viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid can lead to improvements in pain and disability in subjects with osteoarthritis undergoing physical and rehabilitative interventions.
• More recent studies, such as one published in 2025 6, have investigated the use of combined hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid-based injections, and found significant improvements in pain and functional outcomes at six months post-injection.
• A network meta-analysis published in 2025 7 found that triamcinolone had the highest probabilities of reaching the minimal clinically important difference in pain intensity at weeks 2 and 6, compared to other intra-articular interventions.

Comparison of Treatments

• The studies suggest that different treatments, such as Triamcinolone and hyaluronic acid injections, can provide significant pain relief for patients with osteoarthritis.
• The duration of relief can vary depending on the treatment and individual patient response, with some studies showing significant relief at two and six weeks, while others show relief at six months.
• The choice of treatment may depend on various factors, including the severity of symptoms, patient preferences, and potential side effects.

Side Effects and Safety

• The studies also highlight the importance of considering potential side effects and safety profiles when evaluating the effectiveness of different treatments.
• For example, one study found that hyaluronic acid had a higher risk of dropouts due to adverse events and serious adverse events compared to placebo 7.
• Another study reported that the most common adverse event was transient hip pain, which was experienced by 5.3% of patients 6.