Intra-Articular Steroids Relieve Pain of Knee Osteoarthritis

Triamcinolone and methylprednisolone worked equally well in a double-blind trial.

Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) occurs in as many as 6% of adults older than 30, and the prevalence of OA rises with increasing age. Treatment of patients with symptomatic knee OA includes physical therapy, analgesics (including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and narcotics), topical agents, hyaluronate products, and intra-articular steroids. Few data guide the choice between the two most common intra-articular steroid preparations — triamcinolone hexacetonide and methylprednisolone acetate. In one comparative study, triamcinolone was more effective at week 3, whereas methylprednisolone was superior at week 8 (Clin Rheumatol 2004; 23:116).

In this randomized, double-blind Brazilian study, researchers compared intra-…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

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Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Intra-Articular Steroids Relieve Pain of Knee Osteoarthritis

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Reviewing Author