Which type of doctor performs steroid (corticosteroid) knee injections?

Doctors Who Perform Steroid Knee Injections

Steroid knee injections are most commonly performed by rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, and pain management specialists, with primary care physicians also performing these procedures in some settings.

Types of Medical Specialists Who Perform Knee Injections

• Rheumatologists: Specialists in joint diseases including osteoarthritis who frequently perform intra-articular injections 1
• Orthopedic Surgeons: Experts in musculoskeletal conditions who routinely perform joint injections 2
• Sports Medicine Physicians: Specialists who often treat knee injuries and arthritis with injections 2
• Pain Management Specialists: Physicians focused on pain control who commonly perform joint injections
• Primary Care Physicians: Some family physicians and internists with appropriate training perform these injections in primary care settings 3
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physicians (PM&R/Physiatrists): Specialists in non-surgical musculoskeletal care who frequently perform joint injections

Injection Technique and Accuracy

• Accuracy of knee injections varies by approach and provider experience:
  • Without imaging guidance: 77-80% accuracy rate 2
  • With ultrasound guidance: 95-96% accuracy rate 2
  • Hip injections strongly require ultrasound guidance, while knee injections may not 1

Clinical Context for Steroid Knee Injections

• Indications: Strongly recommended for knee osteoarthritis with pain and inflammation 1
• Efficacy: Provides significant short-term pain relief for knee osteoarthritis 1, 2
• Frequency: Generally limited to 3-4 injections per year in the same joint 2
• Safety considerations:
  • Diabetic patients should monitor blood glucose for 1-3 days after injection 1
  • Patients should avoid overuse of the injected joint for 24 hours following injection 1
  • Complete immobilization is not recommended 1

Potential Risks and Considerations

• Infection risk is rare but can occur (estimated at 1 in 3,000 injections) 3
• Recent research suggests potential concerns about cartilage loss with frequent injections 1, 4
• A 2020 study indicated increased risk of requiring knee arthroplasty in patients receiving corticosteroid injections 4

Finding the Right Specialist

• Referrals typically come from primary care physicians
• Considerations for choosing a specialist:
  • Experience with knee injections
  • Use of imaging guidance when appropriate
  • Familiarity with different corticosteroid preparations
  • Ability to provide comprehensive osteoarthritis management

When seeking steroid knee injections, patients should discuss with their primary care provider which specialist type would be most appropriate based on their specific condition, severity, and local healthcare resources.