A longer-lasting knee injection specifically designed for osteoarthritis pain, using extended-release technology to deliver steady relief over 12 weeks.
Zilretta is an FDA-approved injectable medication used for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) pain, specifically for knee osteoarthritis. It is a brand name for triamcinolone acetonide, a type of corticosteroid that is formulated in a way that allows for sustained release. Zilretta provides longer-lasting pain relief compared to traditional steroid injections. This injection can be performed every 12 weeks.
If you have knee osteoarthritis and have tried standard steroid injections, you may have noticed that the relief they provide can fade relatively quickly, sometimes within just a few weeks. Zilretta was developed to address this limitation. It uses a proprietary microsphere technology that slowly releases the corticosteroid over an extended period, rather than delivering the entire dose all at once.
This extended-release design means the medication stays active in your knee joint for a longer period, providing more consistent relief. Clinical studies have shown that Zilretta provides pain relief for up to 12 weeks, and importantly, it was also associated with less impact on blood sugar levels compared to traditional immediate-release steroid injections. This is a significant advantage for patients with diabetes who need joint injections.
Zilretta is specifically approved for the management of osteoarthritis pain of the knee. You may be a good candidate if you:
Zilretta is not intended for other joints and is not a treatment for inflammatory arthritis conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. It is specifically designed for OA of the knee.
The Zilretta injection process is similar to a standard intra-articular knee injection and typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes in the office.
You will be positioned comfortably, usually seated or lying down with your knee slightly bent. The skin around your knee is cleaned and sterilized. A local anesthetic may be used to numb the skin surface.
If there is excess fluid in the knee, your doctor may aspirate (drain) it before injecting Zilretta. Removing excess fluid can help the medication distribute more effectively within the joint and can itself provide some relief by reducing pressure.
Your doctor will then inject Zilretta into the knee joint space. The injection is given through a standard needle and feels similar to any other knee injection. You may feel a sensation of fullness or mild pressure as the medication enters the joint.
After the injection, you will be asked to move your knee gently to help distribute the medication throughout the joint. A bandage is applied and you are free to go home.
Zilretta is a brand-name medication and is priced higher than traditional generic corticosteroid injections. It is covered by many insurance plans, though prior authorization may be required. Some plans may require that you have tried a standard steroid injection first before approving Zilretta. Our office will check your insurance coverage and handle the authorization process so you know what your costs will be before the procedure.
Recovery after a Zilretta injection is straightforward. Most patients can resume light activities the same day.
You may experience some mild discomfort, swelling, or stiffness in the knee for the first day or two after the injection. Applying ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time and resting the knee can help manage this.
Avoid high-impact activities and heavy exercise for the first 48 hours. Walking and gentle movement are encouraged. You can return to your full activity level once any initial soreness subsides, typically within a few days.
Because Zilretta is an extended-release formulation, the relief builds gradually. You may start to feel improvement within a few days, with the full benefit developing over the first one to two weeks.
Clinical studies have demonstrated that Zilretta provides significant and sustained pain relief for knee osteoarthritis lasting up to 12 weeks.
Patients in these studies reported meaningful improvements in pain, stiffness, and physical function. The extended-release technology means you experience more consistent relief throughout the 12-week period, rather than a peak of relief followed by a gradual fade that sometimes occurs with traditional steroid injections.
Another important finding from the clinical research is that Zilretta causes less disruption to blood sugar levels compared to immediate-release steroid injections. For patients with diabetes, this can make a meaningful difference in how they manage their health around the time of the injection.
Zilretta can be repeated every 12 weeks as needed. Your doctor will evaluate your response and help you determine the best ongoing treatment schedule for your knee.
Here is what to keep in mind before your Zilretta injection:
Medications: Inform your doctor about all medications, especially blood thinners and anti-inflammatory drugs. Some may need to be paused.
Previous injections: Let your doctor know when you last received any type of steroid injection in your knee. There should be adequate time between injections.
Diabetes: While Zilretta has been shown to have less impact on blood sugar than traditional steroid injections, it can still cause some elevation. Monitor your blood sugar for several days after the injection if you have diabetes.
Joint infection: If your knee is red, hot, or showing signs of infection, let your doctor know immediately. The injection should not be given into an infected joint.
Expectations: Zilretta is designed for osteoarthritis pain management. It is not a cure for arthritis, but it can significantly improve your comfort and function for an extended period.
Allergies: Let your doctor know if you have had any reactions to corticosteroids or any components of the Zilretta formulation in the past.
Traditional steroid injections can fade in a matter of weeks. Zilretta's sustained-release formula is designed to maintain pain relief for up to 12 weeks, giving you more consistent comfort between visits.
Clinical studies showed that Zilretta caused less disruption to blood sugar levels compared to immediate-release steroids. This is an important advantage for patients managing diabetes.
Zilretta was developed specifically for OA of the knee. Its extended-release formulation keeps the medication active inside the joint for a longer period, providing more consistent relief throughout the 12-week treatment cycle rather than a peak followed by a gradual decline.
The goal of Zilretta is to keep you comfortable and functional so you can continue doing the things that matter to you. Whether that means walking, gardening, playing with your grandchildren, or keeping up with an exercise routine, steady pain control makes it possible.
