Overview
Knee gel injections, also known as viscosupplementation, are minimally invasive treatments for knee osteoarthritis. They involve injecting hyaluronic acid or similar gel substances directly into the knee joint to improve lubrication, reduce pain, and enhance joint mobility.
South Korea is renowned for advanced orthopedic care, precise imaging guidance, and innovative treatment options, making it a preferred destination for patients seeking safe and effective management of knee osteoarthritis without immediate surgery.
What is Knee Gel Injection?
Viscosupplementation is:
- A treatment for degenerative knee conditions, particularly osteoarthritis
- Involves injecting a gel-based substance that mimics natural synovial fluid
- Reduces friction in the joint, providing cushioning and pain relief
Indications:
- Mild to moderate osteoarthritis
- Knee pain affecting mobility and daily activities
- Limited response to medications or physical therapy
Goal:
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Improve joint function and mobility
- Delay or reduce the need for knee replacement surgery
What are the Benefits?
- Pain relief → Reduces knee discomfort during movement
- Improved joint mobility → Enhances walking, climbing, and exercise ability
- Non-surgical treatment → Minimally invasive with low risk
- Delays progression of arthritis → Protects cartilage and joint structures
- Fast outpatient procedure → Quick recovery and return to activities
- Expert care in Korea → High precision injections using ultrasound guidance
Procedure Details
1) How should I prepare for knee gel injection?
- Pre-procedure evaluation → Physical examination, X-rays, MRI if needed
- Medication review → Avoid blood thinners or anti-inflammatory drugs as advised
- Discuss expectations → Review potential benefits, number of injections, and alternatives
- Pre-procedure instructions → Rest knee, avoid strenuous activity prior to injection
2) What happens during the procedure?
- Anesthesia → Usually local anesthetic or numbing cream
- Patient positioning → Sitting or lying with the knee slightly bent
- Injection guidance → Ultrasound or fluoroscopy used for accurate placement
- Injection → Hyaluronic acid or gel injected into the joint cavity
- Duration → Typically 15–30 minutes, including preparation
- Monitoring → Short observation after injection for immediate reactions
3) What happens after a knee gel injection?
- Immediate care → Rest the knee for 24–48 hours
- Pain management → Mild discomfort may be managed with acetaminophen; avoid NSAIDs initially
- Activity restrictions → Avoid high-impact activities for a few days
- Follow-up injections → Series of injections may be scheduled over weeks depending on protocol
- Physical therapy → Optional exercises to improve joint strength and mobility
Risks / Benefits
Risks
- ➤ Mild pain or swelling at injection site
- ➤ Localized warmth or redness
- ➤ Rare allergic reaction to injection material
- ➤ Temporary stiffness or discomfort
- ➤ Infection (very rare)
Benefits
- ➤ Reduces pain and improves mobility
- ➤ Minimally invasive with fast recovery
- ➤ Delays or avoids knee replacement surgery
- ➤ Improves quality of life for osteoarthritis patients
- ➤ High precision injections under expert Korean orthopedic care
Recovery and Outlook
- Immediate recovery → Most patients return to daily activities within 24–48 hours
- Short-term follow-up → Monitor pain, swelling, and knee function; repeat injections if needed
- Long-term outlook → Pain relief may last several months; repeat treatments may be necessary
- Post-procedure care → Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and follow physician guidance
- Expected results → Reduced knee pain, improved joint mobility, and better quality of life
South Korea offers expert orthopedic care, advanced imaging guidance, and follow-up support, ensuring safe and effective results for knee gel injections.
When To Call the Doctor
Contact your orthopedic specialist if you notice:
- ⚠️ Severe swelling, redness, or heat at the injection site
- ⚠️ Persistent or worsening pain
- ⚠️ Fever or other signs of infection
- ⚠️ Allergic reactions (rash, itching, difficulty breathing)
- ⚠️ Reduced mobility or sudden instability in the knee
Best Korea Option / Process
South Korea is a leading destination for knee viscosupplementation due to:
- Expert orthopedic surgeons and rheumatologists
- Advanced imaging guidance for precise injection
- Minimally invasive outpatient procedures
- Multidisciplinary care → Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and follow-up
- International patient services → Consultation, scheduling, translation, and post-procedure care
Top Hospitals for Knee Gel Injections in Korea:
- Asan Medical Center, Seoul – Advanced osteoarthritis management and joint injections
- Samsung Medical Center – Expert orthopedic care with imaging-guided injections
- Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) – Comprehensive arthritis and joint treatment programs
- Yonsei Severance Hospital – High-precision viscosupplementation and rehabilitation support
👉 For patients seeking non-surgical relief for knee osteoarthritis, knee gel injections in Korea provide expert care, accurate injection, and improved joint function with minimal downtime.
