What kind of medicine can be injected into the knees for deteriorating cartilage?

Cortisone or other steroids, hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma are medicines that can be injected into the knees to treat deteriorating cartilage, according to Dr. Howard J. Luks. Injections are more often used for pain relief than for initiating healing.

Treatments and recommendations for a degenerative joint disease in the knee are based on the patient’s age, activity level and the severity of the pain, asserts Dr. Luks. Any other medical conditions that may be present also affect the treatment plan. Besides injections, possible treatments for deteriorating joint disease include basic lifestyle changes, weight loss, braces, physical therapy, surgery, supplements and vitamins,