Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2005 , Vol 51 , Num 3

Intra-Articular Corticosteroid and Hyaluronic Acid Injections in the Management of Osteoarthritis

G. Guy Vanderstraeten 1 ,Luc Vanden Boscche 1 ,Martine De Muynck 1 ,Tina Decorte 1
1 Ghent University Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ghent, Belgium

Intra-articular corticosteroid injections have long been used to treat osteoarthritis, whereas intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections for only a few years. In the literature, evidence-based reports on the efficacy of these compounds are non-existent. In the presence of acute hydrops in an osteoarthritic knee an intra-articular corticosteroid injection following aspiration of the joint can be considered. A maximum of 3 injections can be administered at intervals of 8 to 10 days, to be repeated every 6 months if absolutely necessary. A patient with a dry and painful osteoarthritic knee can be a candidate for intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections at weekly intervals, every 6 months if need be. There is a need for a clear consensus about the management of monoarthritis consequent upon osteoarthritis. In the present paper a practical approach is proposed, based on the available literature. 

Keywords : Intra-articular corticosteroids, intra-articular hyaluronic acid, osteoarthritis