Effectiveness of intraarticular steroids in osteoarthritis of knee

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease characterized by cartilage destruction which manifests as pain, stiffness and loss of joint motion. With increasing longevity, aging of population and increased incidence of obesity, osteoarthritis remains a potentially major health problem as well as global economic burden. Intraarticular steroids are frequently & effectively used to treat acute and chronic inflammatory conditions of joints, especially during osteoarthritis flare with evidence of inflammation like increasing pain and joint effusion. This reduces acute episodes of pain and increases joint mobility and rehabilitation. This was a prospective hospital based study of 240 Patient with osteoarthritis knee. Average age was about 54±3 years, knee effusion detectable in 80% of patients and radiographic features of osteoarthritis in 91% cases at time of injection. Results showed significant improvement in pain and joint tenderness at 6 weeks after injection. There is consensus now that intraarticular steroids are extremely helpful in acute episodes of arthritic pain and efficacy is almost similar and equal to other modalities of intrarticular injection therapies. Intraarticular steroid injections are reasonably safe, reliable and time tested treatment of arthritic conditions and thus can be used as first line of treatment in flares of osteoarthritis with features of synovial inflammation to reduces crisis of pain and promote rehabilitaional activities and bring back smiles to patients.