Corticosteroid Injection Research Articles

Predictive Factors for Functional and Anatomical Outcomes After Anti-VEGF Treatment for Macular Edema in Patients with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion.

This study aimed to identify predictive factors for the improvement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and reduction of central macular thickness (CMT) after treatment of macular edema (ME) due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in a real-world setting. This retrospective study included patients with ME secondary to BRVO who were treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab as the first-line therapy and were followed up for 12 months. Demographic and clinical data, in addition to baseline spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) features, were considered as possible biomarkers of final BCVA and CMT. We also collected the data concerning the need for additional treatment including sectorial laser photocoagulation, change to another anti-VEGF agent, or intravitreal corticosteroid injection. A total of 161 eyes were analyzed. BCVA significantly improved from baseline to 12-month follow-up (0.6 and 0.4 logMAR, respectively; P 0.01). CMT decreased significantly during the follow-up period (from 498.0 to 325.0 m; P 0.01). Final BCVA correlated positively with baseline BCVA (P 0.01, r = 0.57). Older age at diagnosis and baseline SD-OCT findings including CMT, disruption of the retinal inner layers, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) damage, and impairment of the ellipsoid zone and external limiting membrane negatively affected final BCVA (P 0.01). Multiple regression analysis identified age and BCVA at baseline as the only independent predictors of final BCVA (P = 0.001 and P 0.01, respectively). No association was found between clinical data, SD-OCT parameters, and final CMT. Various clinical and SD-OCT parameters are prognostically relevant for visual improvement in ME secondary to BRVO. Age at diagnosis and baseline BCVA were found to be independent predictors of visual outcome.

Efficacy of Intra-articular Platelet-rich Plasma versus Hydrocortisone with Local Anaesthetic Injection in Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - A Prospective Study

Abstract Introduction: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is subjected to many disorders commonly termed temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) which include TMJ hypermobility, ankylosis and internal derangement. In the past, many non-invasive conservative treatment modalities were tried out for their treatment which include joint unloading, the use of anti-inflammatory agents and physiotherapy. In recent times, injections of corticosteroids and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the TMJ have been proposed as alternative therapeutic methods. The main objective of the prospective study was to compare the efficacy of intra-articular injection of PRP and hydrocortisone with local anaesthetic agents in reducing the symptoms in patients with TMDs. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 30 patients with TMDs, out of which 15 patients (Group I) received PRP injections and 15 patients (Group II) received hydrocortisone with local anaesthetics for arthrocentesis in their affected joints. The patients were assessed for pain, maximum interincisal mouth opening, TMJ sound and disc displacement. Results: The pain was markedly reduced in patients who received PRP injections (Group I) as compared to those who received hydrocortisone injection (Group II). An increase in mouth opening was similar in both the groups, and TMJ sounds were reduced in patients who received PRP. Magnetic resonance imaging also showed that PRP-treated patients showed better articular disc repair than patients treated with hydrocortisone. Discussion: PRP increases chondrocyte proliferation and production of matrix molecules and helps maintain the integrity of the chondral surface, thereby facilitating joint movement, whereas corticosteroids are more potent anti-inflammatory agents and they act by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis which is the mediator of inflammation. Thus, the use of PRP has been proven to show better results in reducing the symptoms of TMDs and also helped in articular disc repair.

Comparative Effectiveness of Acupuncture Versus Non-surgical Modalities for Treating Plantar Fasciitis: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Plantar fasciitis, or plantar heel pain, causes inflammation of the plantar fascia due to various causes, with no clear consensus on the treatment protocol. Standard first-line treatment includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy. Second-line treatment prior to surgery includes extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), ultrasound-guided (USG) therapy, corticosteroid injection (CSI), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. Recently, the use of acupuncture treatment has been gaining popularity, with increasing published evidence showing its effectiveness in treating plantar fasciitis. The objective of this study was to determine whether acupuncture intervention was a viable alternative treatment method for managing plantar fasciitis when compared to ESWT, USG therapy, CSI, and PRP injection. Data sources from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were reviewed. Clinical trials were searched from their inception over the period of January 2000 to October 2020. A total of 32 relevant papers were included for analysis, totaling 2390 samples. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores measuring pain were analyzed in terms of outcome after one and three months of treatment. Each time point was analyzed separately through a network meta-analysis using the frequentist approach. VAS scores for each intervention at baseline and the two-time points (i.e., one and three months) were included in the comprehensive meta-analysis. Then, differences in VAS scores were calculated in R studio (V4.1.2; RStudio: Integrated Development for R,RStudio, Inc., Boston, USA) using the netmeta package. The netmeta package was also used to perform the network meta-analysis and generate corresponding figures. Direct and indirect effects were assessed and visualized through a direct evidence plot and a node-splitting forest plot. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs involving treatments of acupuncture, ESWT, USG therapy, CSI, or PRP injection, either in comparison with each other or with a placebo, were included in our review. Our meta-analysis showed that at one month, VAS scores for acupuncture treatment had the highest mean difference (MD) of -1.33 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) = -2.19 to -0.46) compared to placebo, indicating thatacupuncture treatment was more effective than other treatment arms when compared to placebo. Analysis at threemonths showed that the highest-ranked treatment was PRP injection, with an MD of -2.67 (95% CI = -6.23 to 0.89). However, the CI for the net effect of all treatments crossed the null effect on the forest plot, indicating no statistically significant difference between the treatment and placebo. Acupuncture treatment should be considered as a second-line treatment for treatment of plantar fasciitis together with other common treatment options such as ESWT, PRP injection, CSI, and USG therapy. Further long-term studies measuring acupuncture treatment outcomes would be beneficial in the future.

Less Pain, but no changes in maximal inclination angles during an overhead reach task following local anesthetic in patients with ongoing shoulder pain

This multicenter observational study aimed to assess how pain reduction, induced by local anesthesia, affects the relative angular contributions of the shoulder girdle and trunk to the maximal angular performance during a semi-constrained overhead reach task in patients with ongoing shoulder pain. Twenty-nine individuals (age 59.0 SD 12.8 years;16-male) with symptomatic shoulders were administered corticosteroid and lidocaine injections by their attending orthopedic surgeon. Immediately before and after the injections, participants reached for a target on the ceiling ten times as high as possible while their pain levels, shoulder, and trunk movements were recorded. The analysis revealed that there was a significant reduction in pain following the injections. However, there were no significant differences in maximum shoulder and trunk inclination angles between the pre- and post-injection conditions. Notably, there were slight but statistically significant alterations in humeroscapular kinematics during the initial phase of arm elevation following the injections. In conclusion, acute pain relief following local anesthetics is not associated with immediate alterations in maximum shoulder girdle and trunk inclination angles during a semi-constrained overhead reach task in patients with ongoing shoulder pain. However, there are signs of small alterations in humeroscapular kinematics during the initial phase of arm elevation.

Retrospective study of the efficacy of methylprednisolone vs. triamcinolone in lumbar epidural steroid injections for the treatment of low back pain due to degenerative disc disease

ObjectiveA common low back pain treatment is epidural injection of corticosteroids. The nominal target of anti-inflammatory corticosteroid drugs is the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). In vitro studies show many clinically used steroids also activate the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) with substantial potency. Based on preclinical studies, this may have pro-inflammatory and pro-nociceptive effects that counter the desired GR effects. Of two outpatient pain clinics associated with the University of Cincinnati Department of Anesthesiology, one primarily used methylprednisolone while the other used mainly triamcinolone for epidural steroid injections. We hypothesized that triamcinolone would give better outcomes because in vitro, ratio of MR/GR potency is about 10 fold less favorable for methylprednisolone.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of adults receiving lumbar epidural steroid injection for low back pain due to degenerative disc disease at the two pain clinics. For subjects treated at the first clinic, we obtained basic demographics, smoking history, 2 primary outcomes (patient-rated percent improvement in pain levels, and injection outcome rated as poor, partial, or good), and pain ratings (0–10 scale) before and after injection. For analysis, a subset of subjects from the second clinic was matched as closely as possible (sex, age, race, and ethnicity) to those from the first clinic.ResultsEighty-six subjects from the first clinic were identified, of whom fifty-five met inclusion criteria. Review of 83 potentially matched subjects from the second clinic yielded 37 subjects. From this combined set of subjects, 44 receiving triamcinolone and 48 receiving methylprednisolone were obtained. Matching was effective in avoiding significant differences between the two drug groups in age, weight, sex, race, and body mass index, however, the incidence of smoking (current and former) was significantly higher in the methylprednisolone group (who were primarily from clinic 1). The injection responses codified on a 0–2 scale, where 0 indicated a poor response, 1 a partial response with a second injection recommended, and 2 a good response where no further treatment was recommended at the 1 month follow up point, were not significantly different between the groups (Mann–Whitney, p = 0.44) although the triamcinolone group overall had slightly better responses. However, the patient-reported percent improvement after the injection was significantly better for the triamcinolone than for methylprednisolone (60% ± 5.3 vs. 42% ± 4.9), as was the pain ratings (0–10 scale) after the injection (5.0 ± 0.5 vs. 6.3 ± 0.3). A marked demographic difference between the two clinics in smoking rates was not controlled for in subject matching but accounting for smoking status did not affect the observed differences between the two steroids.ConclusionsDifferences in the two primary outcomes, patient-reported percent improvement and pain ratings after epidural steroid injection, were consistent with the hypothesis that more GR-selective steroids may give better outcomes though the differences were modest. We propose that one factor in choosing steroids should be their relative potency in also activating the pro-inflammatory mineralocorticoid receptor.Graphical

The Disease-Modifying Effects of a Single Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Injection during the Freezing Phase of Frozen Shoulder in an Animal Model.

Although frequently prescribed for frozen shoulder, it is not known if corticosteroid injections improve the course of frozen shoulder. This study aimed to assess the disease-modifying effects of an intra-articular corticosteroid administration at the freezing phase of frozen shoulder. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Their unilateral shoulders were immobilized for the first 3 days in all groups, followed by an intra-articular corticosteroid injection in Group A, an injection and the cessation of immobilization in Group B, no further intervention in Group C, and the cessation of immobilization in Group D. All rats were sacrificed in Week 3 of study, at which point the passive shoulder abduction angles were measured and the axillary recess tissues were retrieved for histological and Western blot analyses. The passive shoulder abduction angles at the time of sacrifice were 138° ± 8° (Group A), 146° ± 5° (Group B), 95° ± 11° (Group C), 132° ± 8° (Group D), and 158° ± 2° (Control). The histological assessments and Western blots showed greater fibrosis and inflammation in the groups that did not receive the corticosteroid injection (Groups C and D) compared to the corticosteroid-injected groups (Groups A and B). These findings demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying effects of corticosteroid injections during the freezing phase of frozen shoulder in an animal model.

Elective hand surgery and concomitant corticosteroid injection: Confirming increased infection risk using A national dataset

BackgroundRecent studies demonstrate a link between corticosteroid injection and surgical complications when procedures occur shortly after steroid administration. These publications focus on single procedures like carpal tunnel release. This study seeks to demonstrate how surgical site infection risk changes across thirteen common elective hand procedures when steroid injection is performed contemporaneously. MethodsThe Truven MarketScan® database identified patients who had undergone elective hand surgery between 2015 and 2016. Two cohorts were created based on the administration, or absence thereof, of contemporaneous corticosteroid injection. The primary outcome measure was infection within 30 days of surgery as measured by antibiotic prescription or repeat surgical intervention. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the association between concomitant corticosteroid injections and post-operative infections while controlling for demographics and comorbidities. Results149,689 patients underwent elective hand surgery. 6104 (4.1 %) received concomitant corticosteroid injection and 14,070 (9.4 %) received post-operative antibiotics or underwent secondary surgical intervention for infection. Treatment for post-operative infection was significantly higher in the corticosteroid group (10.2 % versus 9.3 %; p = 0.02) driven by difference in severe infection requiring surgical intervention (3.7 % versus 3.1 %; p = 0.03). This finding persisted when controlling for demographics and comorbidities with adjusted OR of 1.10 (CI 1.01–1.20) for all infections and 1.16 (CI 1.01–1.33) for severe infections. DiscussionThese results support prior findings that patients undergoing concurrent steroid injections and surgery have increased rates of infectious complications though the absolute risk remains small. Limitations of the database preclude further investigation into the details of each procedure (e.g. ipsilateral vs contralateral injection, peri-operative antibiotics) which may impact infection rates. ConclusionsConcomitant steroid injection with elective hand surgery may increase the risk of postoperative infection, particularly severe infection. However, that relative increase lies between 1 and 33 percent and should be weighed against the benefit from intraoperative corticosteroid administration.

Comparison of intraarticular corticosteroid and autologous platelet rich plasma injection in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: To compare IA corticosteroid and autologous PRP injection in OA knee, in terms of reducing stiffness, alleviating pain, and enhancing physical functionality. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Setting: AFIRM Rawalpindi. Period: Aug 2019 to April 2020. Methods: 70 patients with Knees OA, 40-70 years of age were included. Group A received IA 40 mg Triamcinolone Injection while Group B received PRP Injection in the affected knee. Pain evaluation was carried out using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index at baseline, at 1 month, at 3rd month, and after 6 months and mean changes calculated. Results: Among 70 patients, 36 were male (52%) and 34 were female (48%). No notable differences were observed in age (p=0.210), sex (p=0.811), and body mass index (BMI) (p=0.985) between two groups. Pre-injection pain severity assessed on NRS (p=0.217) and OA severity assessed on WOMAC (p=0.010) differed not between the two groups. At 6 months postinjection, there was significant improvement (p-value < 0.05) in pain relief in Group B (IA PRP) compared to Group A (IA steroid injection). However, at 1 month post injection NRS and WOMAC has shown more improvement between Group A and Group B, a significant difference was observed (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: PRP Injection decreases joint pain and improve quality of life better than corticosteroid injection prolonged periods.

Radiofrequency vs Steroid Injections for Spinal Facet and Sacroiliac Joint Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Pain management for spinal facet joint (SFJ) and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is challenging, often requiring interventions like radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or corticosteroid injections (CI). This study aims to assess and compare the effectiveness of CI and RFA in treating SFJ and SIJ pain. We combine these treatments due to their shared pathophysiology, similar therapeutic interventions, and the necessity for an integrated approach to spinal pain management. Literature search from PubMed, Scopus, CENTRAL and Google Scholar for published studies upto 31st December 2023, and reporting data of patients who were treated using CI of RFA for SFJ and SIJ pain. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was calculated. Our meta-analysis incorporated thirteen studies. Overall, patients, treated with CI had a higher pain intensity score compared to patients treated with RFA (SMD=0.92; 95% CI: 0.19 to 1.65) at 3 months, and at 6 months (SMD=1.53; 95% CI: 0.66 to 2.40) after the treatment. No significant association was reported at 12 months (SMD=1.47; 95% CI: -0.03 to 2.97). Subgroup analysis based on joint types revealed increased pain intensity scores in patients who were treated with CI for SIJ (SMD=1.25; 95% CI: 0.39 to 2.11) and SFJ (SMD=1.33; 95% CI: 0.09 to 2.57) pain. A negative but not significant effect was detected in patients, treated with CI for cervical joint pain (SMD=-0.40; 95% CI: -0.90 to 0.10). Patients treated with CI exhibited higher functional disability score compared to patients treated with RFA at 3 months (SMD=1.28; 95% CI: 0.20 to 2.35) post-treatment. This study suggests that RFA may offer superior pain relief with longer duration compared to steroid injections for spinal facet and sacroiliac joint pain. Decision regarding specific interventions should be individualized and consider patient preferences, clinical context, and potential risks.

Corticosteroid injections for knee osteoarthritis offer clinical benefits similar to hyaluronic acid and lower than platelet-rich plasma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Intra-articular corticosteroid (CS) injections for knee osteoarthritis (OA) management are endorsed by several scientific societies, while the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is more controversial. Aim of the study was to quantify and compare the clinical effectiveness of CS injections with respect to HA and PRP in patients with knee OA. The search was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science following the PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the comparison of CS injections and HA or PRP injections for the treatment of knee OA were included. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was used to interpret the clinical relevance of the improvements at different follow-ups up to 12 months. The study quality was assessed using the Cochrane RoB-2 tool and the GRADE guidelines. Thirty-five RCTs were included (3348 patients). The meta-analysis comparing CS and HA revealed no difference in terms of WOMAC improvement, while HA showed superior VAS pain improvement at long-term follow-up (P = 0.011), without reaching the MCID. PRP offered a superior WOMAC improvement compared to CS at short- (P = 0.002), mid- (P < 0.001, exceeding the MCID), and long-term (P < 0.001, exceeding the MCID) follow-ups. PRP offered a superior VAS improvement at mid- (P < 0.001, exceeding the MCID) and long-term (P = 0.023) follow-ups. CS injections for knee OA offer similar results to HA and PRP only at short term, while there is an overall superiority of PRP at longer follow-ups. This difference is not only statistically significant but also clinically relevant in favour of PRP.

Lateral Epicondylitis Treated with Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection and Corticosteroid Injection.

Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, affects 1%-3% of adults aged 35-50, causing pain and weakness in the dominant elbow due to chronic inflammation of the extensor tendon. While corticosteroid injections (CSI) are commonly used for treatment, they offer only short-term relief. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a promising alternative with potential for long-term benefits. This study compares the efficacy of PRP and CSI in treating lateral epicondylitis. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute from February 2020 to March 2021, involving patients with lateral epicondylitis unresponsive to non-invasive treatments. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either PRP or CSI, with pre- and post-treatment pain and function assessed using VAS, PSFS, and PRTEE scores. PRP showed better long-term pain reduction and functional improvement than CSI. At 6 months, PRP-treated patients had significantly lower VAS and PRTEE scores, indicating superior outcomes. Although CSI provided quicker initial relief, PRP demonstrated sustained benefits at 3 and 6 months. PRP's effectiveness in promoting tissue healing may explain its long-term success. PRP is more effective than CSI for long-term management of lateral epicondylitis, offering superior pain relief and functional improvement.

A Study on the Effectiveness of Musculoskeletal Corticosteroid Injections for Reducing Patient Symptom Scores in Primary Care Practice.

To present data on the effectiveness of corticosteroid injections (CSI) in reducing symptom scores for musculoskeletal conditions in patients treated in an NHS primary care CSI service. The data will also examine whether adding local anaesthetic to the corticosteroid preparation affects the overall patient outcomes in symptom scores. A Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) questionnaire was used to collect data. Patients were asked to complete the questionnaire post-CSI. Patients were asked to rate their symptoms on a score of 0-6 before and after their injection. Data were calculated using standard deviation and paired t-test to assess the effectiveness of CSI in reducing symptom scores. Overall, 172 patients (79.6%) reported an improvement in symptomatology post CSI. Improvements were seen across all injection sites. Of those taking medication for their symptoms, 73 patients (55.7%) reported that they were able to reduce their medication. Data did not suggest that adding local anaesthetic to the injectate resulted in better patient outcomes. Post-injection symptom scores were statistically similar across all clinicians. 83.7% of patients experienced a reduction in symptom scores post injection. Adding lidocaine to the injectate preparation did not result in any statistically significant improvement in patient outcome. Over half of the participants were able to reduce their medication post injection, which demonstrates this is a highly effective primary care service for treatment/management of some MSK conditions.

The Role of Corticosteroid Injections in the Treatment of Sacroiliitis: A Narrative Review.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic rheumatic, musculoskeletal, inflammatory disease with a propensity to present as sacroiliitis, which manifests as low back, buttock, or thigh pain. Effective primary management of axSpA requires a comprehensive approach specific to each patient and disease severity. Non-pharmacological measures form the cornerstone of treatment. With refractory disease, management also consists of local periarticular and intraarticular injections. The use of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) corticosteroid injections for the treatment of axSpA and localised inflammation, however, is a continuously burgeoning management option. This narrative review aims to present consolidated findings and summarise previously unreferenced or recently available evidence regarding corticosteroid injections to the SIJ for treating sacroiliitis and axSpA. A comprehensive literary review with the following electronic databases was searched: MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE. The initial search yielded a total of 126 references. After duplicates were removed and the remainder analysed for inclusion criteria, 7 studies were included. To stratify each study, injection methodology and characteristics were defined. The use of SIJ corticosteroid injections can be an appropriate and effective treatment option for refractory axSpA. The studies presented in this review reported a general trend towards a reduction in pain severity after SIJ corticosteroid injections. Because of the complexity and heterogeneity of the anatomy of the SIJ, image guidance is recommended when performing SIJ injections. Image-guided injections seem to produce better outcomes when compared to anatomic landmark-guided injections.

Arthroscopic Mumford Procedure for AC Joint Arthritis

Background: Acromioclavicular (AC) joint arthritis is a common cause of shoulder pain in young patients. Management has been focused on relieving pain mainly with conservative nonsurgical procedures such as corticoid injections, physical therapy and even, recently, orthobiological interventions with platelet-rich plasma and hyaluronic acid injections. However, failed conservative management opens the door to surgical interventions such as the arthroscopic distal third of the clavicle resection. Indications: Patients submitted to this surgery must have a confirmed diagnosis of an arthritic, painful AC joint that has not been properly responding to nonoperative management. Technique Description: The surgical procedure is done in the beach chair position with standard arthroscopic portals. After a proper intraarticular evaluation of the structures and ruling out any other causes of pain, the surgeon passes to the subacromial space. Identification of the AC joint is made by following the coracoacromial ligament medial and with manipulation of the clavicle from the patient's skin. Debridement should start by releasing the anterior and posterior ligaments to allow for proper visualization of the articulation. A bur or a 5.5-mm shaver is used to start resection of the distal third of the clavicle under visualization and with care to not create a vault. The procedure is considered done when a smooth articular surface is visualized and with at least 5 mm of space between the clavicle and the acromion. Results: The proposed technique, which is a variant of the classic distal clavicle excision, has shown improved functional outcomes with reproducible postoperative scores and low complications rates in the setting of patients with isolated AC joint arthritis. Conclusion: Surgical management of the painful, arthritic AC joint has been evolving alongside with the history of shoulder arthroscopy; the proposed arthroscopic approach is an easy and effective way of freeing the patient of pain and discomfort with quick return to activities and sports. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.

Microfragmented Adipose Tissue Injection Reduced Pain Compared With a Saline Control Among Patients With Symptomatic Osteoarthritis of the Knee During 1-Year Follow-Up: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PurposeTo evaluate the effectiveness of microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) for pain relief and improved joint functionality in knee OA in a randomized, controlled clinical trial with 1-year follow-up. MethodsSeventy-five patients were stratified by baseline pain level, and randomized to one of three treatment groups: MFAT, corticosteroid (CS), or saline control (C) injection. Patients 18 years of age or older, diagnosed with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, with radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis and a visual analog pain scale (VAS) score of 3/10 or greater were included. Patients were excluded if they had any prior intra-articular knee injection, current knee ligamentous instability or an allergy to lidocaine/corticosteroid. The VAS pain scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome score (KOOS) were recorded pre-procedure and at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and 1 year follow-up. ResultsMFAT demonstrated consistent and statistically significant improvements across all primary outcome measures for joint pain and functionality compared to C. For MFAT, there was a significant improvement over baseline at each follow-up, with median (95% CI) KOOS Pain score changes of 18.1 (11.1, 26.4) at week 2 to 27.8 (19.4, 37.5) at 1 year. For CS, the median KOOS pain score reached a maximum of 22.2 (15.3, 30.6) at week 2, only to level off to 13.9 (-2.8, 29.2), a level not statistically different from baseline, at 1 year. The median changes for C hovered around 6-11 points, with statistically significant improvements over baseline indicating a placebo effect. Similar trends were seen for the WOMAC Pain score and VAS Pain score. ConclusionsIn this study, MFAT demonstrated a clinically significant improvement in primary outcome scores compared with a saline control group, while the corticosteroid group only showed statistically significant improvement compared to the control group at 2 and 6 weeks. This finding indicates that MFAT may be a viable alternative treatment for patients with knee OA that fall into the orthopaedic treatment gap.

9. Chronic knee pain.

Chronic knee pain is defined as pain that persists or recurs over 3 months. The most common is degenerative osteoarthritis (OA). This review represents a comprehensive description of the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of OA of the knee. The literature on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic knee pain was retrieved and summarized. A modified Delphi approach was used to formulate recommendations on interventional treatments. Patients with knee OA commonly present with insidious, chronic knee pain that gradually worsens. Pain caused by knee OA is predominantly nociceptive pain, with occasional nociplastic and infrequent neuropathic characteristics occurring in a diseased knee. A standard musculoskeletal and neurological examination is required for the diagnosis of knee OA. Although typical clinical OA findings are sufficient for diagnosis, medical imaging may be performed to improve specificity. The differential diagnosis should exclude other causes of knee pain including bone and joint disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondylo- and other arthropathies, and infections. When conservative treatment fails, intra-articular injections of corticosteroids and radiofrequency (conventional and cooled) of the genicular nerves have been shown to be effective. Hyaluronic acid infiltrations are conditionally recommended. Platelet-rich plasma infiltrations, chemical ablation of genicular nerves, and neurostimulation have, at the moment, not enough evidence and can be considered in a study setting. The decision to perform joint-preserving and joint-replacement options should be made multidisciplinary. When conservative measures fail to provide satisfactory pain relief, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended including psychological therapy, integrative treatments, and procedural options such as intra-articular injections, radiofrequency ablation, and surgery.

De Quervain Tendinopathy: Anatomical Prognostic Indicators of Corticosteroid Injection Success.

Anatomical variations of the first extensor compartment can affect de Quervain tendinopathy outcomes. Our study aimed to identify the anatomical prognostic indicators of symptom recurrence following a corticosteroid (CS) injection and to assess the efficacy of CS injections. Fifty consecutive patients received a single CS injection for de Quervain tendinopathy. Ultrasound imaging was used to assess anatomical factors of the first extensor tendon compartment of the wrist. The primary outcome was recurrence after six weeks and six months and the identification of the anatomical prognostic indicators of the recurrence. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Fifteen patients (30%) experienced symptom recurrence within six weeks. The intracompartmental septum and the number of tendon slips were associated with higher recurrence rates (adjusted odds ratio for the septum: 18.39, p = 0.045; adjusted odds ratio for each additional tendon slip: 24.68, p < 0.01). The mean DASH score improved from 74.1 ± 5 to 19.3 ± 25.3, and the mean VAS for pain from 8.5 ± 0.8 to 2 ± 2.7 (p < 0.01 for both scores). Five patients experienced minor adverse events with spontaneous improvement. CS injections are a viable treatment for de Quervain tendinopathy. Anatomical variations can predict treatment success. Counseling patients based on these factors can help guide treatment decisions, including surgical options.

ADVANCES IN NON-SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF GONARTHROSIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is typically the result of wear and tear andprogressive loss of articular cartilage and may eventually lead to disability. Treatment forKOA begins with conservative methods and progresses to surgical treatmentoptions when conservative treatment fails. This systematic review aims to highlight the latestadvancements in non-surgical interventions to improve the management of this commonmusculoskeletal disorder. Methods: A comprehensive search of sources available in both English and Frenchencompassing various databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and relevant medicaljournals in addition to recommendations provided by prominent organizations(EULAR, ACR, SFR, SOFMER, OARSI, ESCEO, NICE, PANLAR, AAOS). Inclusion criteria were good quality systematic reviews, meta-analyses, practice guidelinesexcludingsurgicalKOA treatment. Results:We thoroughly examined a large set of 545 articles and meticulously selected 117 for detailed analysis. This carefully selected set comprised randomized controlled trials, consensus statements, international guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, cohort studies, and reviews. Qualitative synthesis revealed widely approved nonpharmacological therapies such as information/education programs, weight loss, and physicalactivity. Most agreed on pharmacological therapies were oral and local NSAIDs, Paracetamol, and intra articular corticosteroid injection. Other treatment options were subject to controversy. Conclusion:Various options are available for the treatment of KOA. However, KOA remains a commonglobal health challenge, affecting millions and compromising the quality of life through pain, functional limitations, and associated morbidities. A comprehensive and personalized approach seems crucial in order to reduce pain, improve knee function over the long term.

Critical Lower-Limb Ischemia and Arterial Thrombosis Following Intraarticular Corticosteroid Injection of the Knee.

We present a case of acute lower-limb arterial thrombosis following intra-articular steroid injection into the knee of a previously fit and active 41-year-old man. Symptoms of acute limb ischemia developed within 24 hours of treatment. Objective assessment with ultrasound arterial duplex and CT angiogram of the lower limb confirmed acute thrombosis of the popliteal artery in the treated leg. Although there is documented evidence of the association between steroid therapy and venous thromboembolic phenomena, there are no cases of arterial thrombosis in the literature. The temporal series of events that we report strongly suggest an association between the corticosteroid injection and the acute thrombotic event, the mechanism of which remains unclear. The patient underwent successful revascularization. It is important to document and disseminate this seemingly rare complication of a commonly associated procedure to increase awareness, invoke caution, and invite others to share similar cases.

Local corticosteroid injection versus surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a very common clinical syndrome manifested by signs and symptoms of irritation of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Direct and indirect costs of CTS are substantial, with estimated costs of two billion US dollars for CTS surgery in the USA alone. Local corticosteroid injection has been used as a non-surgical treatment for CTS for many years, but its effectiveness is still debated. To evaluate the benefits and harms of corticosteroids injected in or around the carpal tunnel for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) compared to surgery. We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP. The latest search was 26 May 2022. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-randomised trials of adults with CTS that included at least one comparison group of local corticosteroid injection (LCI) into the wrist and one group of any surgical intervention. We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcome was 1. improvement in symptoms at up to three months of follow-up. Our secondary outcomes were 2. functional improvement, 3. improvement in symptoms at greater than three months of follow-up, 4. improvement in neurophysiological parameters, 5. improvement in imaging parameters, 6. improvement in quality of life and 7. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome. We included seven studies involving 569 'hands' (although two studies had unusable data for quantitative analyses). All studies used a one-time LCI as a comparator, using several different types and doses of corticosteroids. In every study, for both surgery and LCI groups, all our primary and secondary outcomes showed improvement from pre- to post-treatment. However, evidence from the combined analysis was too uncertain for us to draw reliable conclusions for the comparison of surgical treatment versus LCI with respect to our primary outcome of symptom relief at up to three months' follow-up (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.61 to 1.88; I2 = 95%; 5 trials, 305 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Findings with respect to secondary outcome measures of symptom relief at greater than three months' follow-up (SMD 0.94, 95% CI -0.31 to 2.19; I2 = 93%; 4 trials, 235 participants), functional improvement at up to three months' follow-up (SMD -0.11, 95% CI -0.94 to 0.72; I2 = 84%; 3 trials, 215 participants) and functional improvement at greater than three months' follow-up (SMD 0.19, 95% CI -1.22 to 1.59; I2 = 93%; 3 trials, 185 participants) were also uncertain (very low-certainty evidence) and showed no clear advantage for surgery or LCI. Surgery may improve neurophysiology (median nerve distal motor latency) more than LCI (mean difference (MD) 0.87 ms, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.42; I2 = 72%; 3 trials, 162 participants; low-certainty evidence). Evidence for quality of life and adverse events was also uncertain; quality of life (EuroQol-5D-3L) may be slightly improved after LCI than after surgery (the difference may not be clinically important) (MD 0.07, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.12; 1 trial, 38 participants; very low-certainty evidence) and there may be fewer adverse events with LCI than with surgery (risk ratio (RR) 0.34, 95% CI 0.04 to 3.26; 3 trials, 112 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The evidence comparing LCI to surgery for CTS, either in the short term or up to 12 months' follow-up, is too uncertain for any reliable conclusions to be drawn.