If you spend a lot of time on your feet at work or do much lifting on the job, you may eventually start experiencing knee pain. This pain can happen over time, or it may happen as the result of an injury—for example, due to overextending your knee while carrying something up or down stairs. In serious cases, this may eventually call for a knee replacement; but in other cases, the doctor may offer a series of periodic knee injections to help manage the pain and reestablish mobility. Let’s talk about knee injections, how they help, what they cost, and how those costs may be covered.
What Causes Knee Pain?
Many things can lead to knee pain, but the most common workplace causes are:
- Osteoarthritis: This is the “wear and tear” type of arthritis that often comes with age and repetitive use of the knees. As the cartilage in your joints breaks down, it can cause pain and inflammation.
- Acute injury: An injury to the knee, such as a torn ligament or meniscus, can also cause extended knee pain, especially if it doesn’t heal correctly.
Types of Knee Injections
There are several different types of knee injections that your doctor may recommend, depending on the cause of your pain. Some common types of knee injections used for arthritis or injuries include:
- Corticosteroids: One of the most commonly used knee injections, these are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that can help reduce swelling and pain in the knee joint.
- Hyaluronic acid: This substance is found naturally in the knee joint; injecting more of it at the pain site can help to lubricate and cushion the joint, reducing pain.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): This is a treatment in which a small sample of your blood is taken, spun to concentrate the platelets in your blood, then injected into the knee joint. The concentration of platelets in your blood may help to accelerate healing, which can reduce pain and inflammation.
What Do Knee Injections Cost?
The cost of knee injections will vary depending on the type of injection being used and the number of injections needed. If you’re paying out of pocket, knee corticosteroid knee injections may cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000 per injection, and hyaluronic acid injections may cost between $300 and $900.
Will Workers’ Compensation Cover the Cost of Knee Injections?
Theoretically speaking, if your knee pain has occurred due to a workplace injury or wear-and-tear from years on the job, your knee injections should be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. However, there may be situations in which workers’ comp resists paying or refuses to pay. For instance:
- Some types of knee injections may not be covered by your workers’ comp insurance (many carriers won’t cover PRP injections, for example).
- If your knee pain has occurred over time, workers’ comp may try to say your knee pain is not work-related.
If you’re dealing with work-related knee pain in Southern California and your workers’ compensation tries to deny your claim, an experienced Bakersfield work injury attorney can often set things right and make sure you receive your full benefits. To schedule a free consultation, call Accident Defenders today at 323-591-2829 or fill out our online contact form.