INTRAARTICULAR THERAPY IN OSTEOARTHRITIS

Although intra-articular therapy is widely used in the treatment of os teoarthritis (OA), those controlled clinical trials which include plac ebo groups suggest that there is little to be gained over joint aspira tion alone, or even over a simple needle prick. Glucocorticoids may ho wever offer a small additional symptom benefit over one or two weeks. Viscosupplementation may offer a slightly longer benefit. Intraarticul ar radiotherapy probably confers no benefit. Serious adverse effects a re rare but local effects may occur in up to 10% of patients treated w ith viscosupplements. Future research should always include a placebo group in clinical studies, should clarify the possible benefits of vis cosupplementation and should include in vitro work to consider the bio logical basis for possible actions of intraarticular therapy.