Intra-Articular Injections in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Review of Literature.

Gianluca Testa,Vito Pavone,Matteo Turchetta,Salvatore Cannavò,Annalisa Culmone,Andrea Vescio,Serena Maria Chiara Giardina

doi:10.3390/jfmk6010015

Gianluca Testa, Vito Pavone + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk6010015

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Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, degenerative, and progressive disease of articular cartilage, producing discomfort and physical disability in older adults. Thirteen percent of elderly people complain of knee OA. Management options for knee OA could be divided into the following categories: conservative, pharmacological, procedural, and surgical. Joint replacement is the gold standard, reserved for severe grades of knee OA, due to its complications rate and increased risk of joint revision. A nonsurgical approach is the first choice in the adult population with cartilage damage and knee OA. Yearly, more than 10% of knee OA-affected patients undergo intra-articular injections of different drugs, especially within three months after OA diagnosis. Several molecules, such as corticosteroids injection, hyaluronic acid (HA), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), are managed to reduce the symptoms of patients with knee OA. The aim of this review was to offer an overview of intra-articular injections used for the treatment of OA and report the conventional pharmacological products used.

Highlights

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common recurrent disabling joint disorders and represents a significant source of discomfort and disability in the Western world [1]
The aim of this review was to offer an overview of the intra-articular injections used for the treatment of OA and report the conventional pharmacological products used
Intra-articular injection of the knee may be a viable option for patients who do not tolerate pharmacological oral therapy, when drugs are no longer effective, or for those who want to delay or avoid surgical treatment

Summary

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common recurrent disabling joint disorders and represents a significant source of discomfort and disability in the Western world [1]. OA is a chronic, progressive, and degenerative disorder that involves the entire joint and presents bone and cartilage impairment that is characterized by variable inflammation and subchondral bone structural changes and damage of the protective articular cartilage [2]. More than 10% of the entire population is afflicted by this chronic joint condition, especially women between the ages of 50 and 60 years It represents the main cause of disability in those > 65 years old, and the prevalence of arthritis and chronic joint symptoms increases with age [3]. Intra-articular injection can primarily provide short-term relief from symptoms and lead to improvements in pain and function [12]. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment could decrease the symptoms, especially pain, inflammation, and immobility, but the most successful treatment is total joint replacement (TJR). The aim of this review was to offer an overview of the intra-articular injections used for the treatment of OA and report the conventional pharmacological products used

Intra-Articular Injection of the Knee

Corticosteroids

Future Direction

Findings

Conclusions