15 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Getting Knee Injections
Prepare for your appointment with the right questions about gel injections, cortisone shots, and other knee treatments. Print this checklist before your visit.
By Joint Pain Authority Team
Your Printable Appointment Checklist
Walking into a doctor’s appointment with the right questions can change everything. You deserve clear answers about your treatment options, the procedure itself, and what results you can expect.
Print this page before your next appointment. Check off each question as you get your answers.
Print This Checklist
Why These Questions Matter
Your doctor may only have 15-20 minutes with you. Without the right questions, you might leave without understanding your options. Studies show that patients who ask questions during appointments:
- Feel more confident about their treatment choices
- Have better outcomes because they understand what to expect
- Are more likely to follow through with their treatment plan
- Experience less anxiety about procedures
These 15 questions will help you get the answers you need.
Section 1: About Your Diagnosis
Understanding what’s happening in your knee is the first step to finding the right treatment.
1. What stage is my arthritis?
Why This Matters:
Arthritis is graded on a scale from 1 to 4 (called the Kellgren-Lawrence scale). Your stage affects which treatments will work best. Early-stage arthritis (grades 1-2) often responds well to gel injections. Advanced arthritis (grade 4) may need different options. Knowing your stage helps you set realistic expectations.
2. What’s causing my specific symptoms?
Why This Matters:
Knee pain can come from many sources: cartilage loss, inflammation, bone spurs, meniscus problems, or bursitis. Different causes need different treatments. If your pain comes from a torn meniscus, gel injections alone may not solve the problem. Understanding the cause helps target the right treatment.
3. Do I need additional imaging before treatment?
Why This Matters:
X-rays show bone changes, but they don’t show soft tissue like cartilage, ligaments, or meniscus. If your doctor hasn’t seen recent imaging, or if your symptoms suggest soft tissue problems, an MRI might reveal issues that change your treatment plan. Don’t assume an old X-ray tells the whole story.
Section 2: About Treatment Options
Make sure you understand all your choices before committing to one treatment.
4. What are all my non-surgical options?
Why This Matters:
Surgery isn’t the only answer. Non-surgical options include physical therapy, weight management, bracing, cortisone injections, gel injections (hyaluronic acid), PRP therapy, and more. Some doctors focus on their specialty. Make sure you know ALL your options, not just one.
5. Why do you recommend this specific treatment for me?
Why This Matters:
A good doctor should explain why a treatment fits YOUR situation. Factors include your arthritis stage, activity level, other health conditions, and goals. If your doctor can’t explain why this treatment is right for you specifically, ask for more details or consider a second opinion.
6. What’s the difference between cortisone and gel injections?
Why This Matters:
These are very different treatments. Cortisone reduces inflammation quickly but wears off in weeks and can’t be repeated often. Gel injections (hyaluronic acid) work gradually but can provide relief for 6 months or longer. Understanding the difference helps you choose what fits your needs and timeline.
7. Are there treatments I haven’t tried yet that might help?
Why This Matters:
Medical guidelines often recommend trying certain treatments before others. For example, Medicare covers gel injections after you’ve tried and not responded well to other conservative treatments. Asking this question ensures you haven’t skipped steps that could help or are required for insurance coverage.
Section 3: About the Procedure
How the injection is performed can significantly affect your results.
8. Do you use imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or ultrasound)?
Why This Matters:
Research shows that “blind” injections (without imaging) miss the joint space up to 30% of the time. Fluoroscopy-guided injections achieve near 100% accuracy. If your injection doesn’t reach the joint, it can’t work properly. Ask specifically about fluoroscopy (live X-ray) or ultrasound guidance.
9. How many of these injections do you perform each month?
Why This Matters:
Experience matters. Providers who perform injections regularly develop better technique and handle complications more smoothly. There’s no magic number, but a provider who does these procedures frequently (several per week or more) will generally have more expertise than one who does them rarely.
10. What should I expect during the procedure?
Why This Matters:
Knowing what to expect reduces anxiety. Ask about: How long will it take? Will I need to change into a gown? Will there be numbing? Can I watch the screen? Will someone drive me home? A good provider will walk you through the entire process so nothing surprises you.
11. What are the risks and possible side effects?
Why This Matters:
Every medical procedure has risks, even minor ones. Common side effects of gel injections include temporary soreness and swelling. Rare risks include infection and allergic reaction. Understanding both common and rare risks helps you make an informed decision and know what warning signs to watch for after treatment.
Section 4: About Results and Follow-up
Set realistic expectations and know your next steps before leaving the office.
12. How long before I should feel relief?
Why This Matters:
Different injections work at different speeds. Cortisone often provides relief within days. Gel injections typically take 4-8 weeks to show full benefit. Knowing the timeline prevents you from thinking the treatment failed when it just needs more time to work.
13. How long do results typically last?
Why This Matters:
Cortisone relief often lasts only 4-8 weeks. Gel injections can provide 6 months or more of benefit. Knowing how long relief typically lasts helps you plan ahead. You’ll know when to schedule follow-up appointments and when you might need another treatment.
14. What if this treatment doesn’t work for me?
Why This Matters:
Not every treatment works for every patient. Ask about Plan B before you need it. What other options exist if this doesn’t provide enough relief? Is there a different type of injection to try? At what point would surgery become the better choice? Having a backup plan reduces anxiety.
15. Can this treatment be repeated, and how often?
Why This Matters:
Some treatments have limits. Cortisone injections are typically limited to 3-4 per year because repeated use may damage cartilage. Gel injections can often be repeated every 6 months if they’re effective. Understanding repeat treatment options helps you plan long-term management of your knee pain.
Red Flags: Answers That Should Concern You
Warning Signs During Your Appointment
Be cautious if your doctor:
Tips for Your Appointment
Before Your Visit
- Print this checklist
- Write down your current pain level (1-10)
- Note what activities are limited
- List all medications you take
- Bring your insurance information
- Bring any recent imaging CDs or reports
During Your Visit
- Check off questions as you ask them
- Take notes on the answers
- Ask for clarification if anything is unclear
- Request written instructions for next steps
- Ask who to call if you have questions later
- Schedule follow-up before you leave
Your Next Step
Being prepared for your appointment puts you in control of your healthcare decisions. You don’t have to accept the first recommendation without understanding it. You have the right to ask questions, understand your options, and make informed choices about your treatment.
Ready to learn more about gel injection options?
Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about hyaluronic acid injections, including how they work, who’s a good candidate, and what results to expect.
Read the Complete Guide
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