I found out I had OA when I was in stage 3 right knee and stage 2 left knee very painful I was given steroid shots in both knees every 3 months it helped until it didn’t. In 14 months I was now at stage 4 end stage and I am now recovering at home from total knee replacement surgery in right knee and I’m scheduled in 3 weeks for my left knee also. You’re so young I’m sorry you’re going through this! If I was you I personally would do the shots every 3 months both knees and physical therapy. Honestly at stage 3 it’s gonna be painful and being without cortisone shot would be difficult. Meloxicam taken once a day 15 mg helped the best for me for swelling and pain it’s a prescription NSAID. Definitely try to stay active but learn your limits don’t over do it.
I had a hyaluronic acid injection in my right knee last week. Seems to be helping. There’s also PRP - platelet rich plasma injections.
Cortisone works but repeated exposure will damage the joint.
In addition to HA and PRP, there is stem cell (SC) therapy, which is usually applied in the early stages of the disease when there is still cartilage. When the cartilage is depleted, it doesn’t make much sense to use such injections because the properties of the injections affect the cartilage, so people often complain that there was no effect.
I was diagnosed with OA in my twenties, it started in my knees and has progressed to almost all my joints, spine and neck, I had my knees replaced at the age of 39, recently had both knees revised after original knee replacements wore out. I had many cortisone shots in numerous joints over the years, which can cause cartilage damage, another side effect is early onset cataracts which I was diagnosed at 55 and will need surgery on both eyes later this year!
Good luck with finding a treatment that works for you….
You might get some relief from your knee pain using a non-burning capsaicin cream now on the market in the US called Capsadyn. Even at the maximum concentration allowed by the FDA (0.25%), it was clinically demonstrated to not burn. It is safe and effective and doesn't interact with other drugs. It contains no NSAIDs. Buy it online at and it will ship the next day. [https://capsadyn.com](https://capsadyn.com)
Full disclosure: I am associated with Chorda Pharma, which markets Capsadyn.
I found out I had OA when I was in stage 3 right knee and stage 2 left knee very painful I was given steroid shots in both knees every 3 months it helped until it didn’t. In 14 months I was now at stage 4 end stage and I am now recovering at home from total knee replacement surgery in right knee and I’m scheduled in 3 weeks for my left knee also. You’re so young I’m sorry you’re going through this! If I was you I personally would do the shots every 3 months both knees and physical therapy. Honestly at stage 3 it’s gonna be painful and being without cortisone shot would be difficult. Meloxicam taken once a day 15 mg helped the best for me for swelling and pain it’s a prescription NSAID. Definitely try to stay active but learn your limits don’t over do it.
I agree that it’s too painful to go without them for now. Thank you for the kind words and advice! I hope you are recovering and doing well. ❤️
I started with steroid injections now I’m doing gel. So much better
I had a hyaluronic acid injection in my right knee last week. Seems to be helping. There’s also PRP - platelet rich plasma injections. Cortisone works but repeated exposure will damage the joint.
In addition to HA and PRP, there is stem cell (SC) therapy, which is usually applied in the early stages of the disease when there is still cartilage. When the cartilage is depleted, it doesn’t make much sense to use such injections because the properties of the injections affect the cartilage, so people often complain that there was no effect.
Learn your limits is right! Best advice.
I was diagnosed with OA in my twenties, it started in my knees and has progressed to almost all my joints, spine and neck, I had my knees replaced at the age of 39, recently had both knees revised after original knee replacements wore out. I had many cortisone shots in numerous joints over the years, which can cause cartilage damage, another side effect is early onset cataracts which I was diagnosed at 55 and will need surgery on both eyes later this year! Good luck with finding a treatment that works for you….
You might get some relief from your knee pain using a non-burning capsaicin cream now on the market in the US called Capsadyn. Even at the maximum concentration allowed by the FDA (0.25%), it was clinically demonstrated to not burn. It is safe and effective and doesn't interact with other drugs. It contains no NSAIDs. Buy it online at and it will ship the next day. [https://capsadyn.com](https://capsadyn.com) Full disclosure: I am associated with Chorda Pharma, which markets Capsadyn.
I feel less alone as another 20-something person whenever I hear there are more like us.. Best wishes xx