Multiple corticosteroid injections do not seem to benefit arthritis knee pain

Osteoarthritis knee pain may not be reduced by multiple corticosteroid injections says a review of the evidence published in Rheumatology. And the injections may make the situation worse.

A team set out to investigate the safety of multiple corticosteroid injections for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, and how well they work.

Minor adverse events were similar in both groups (treatment versus placebo). But one trial actually found that regular steroid injections every three months for two years caused greater cartilage loss compared with placebo injections.

Another found that multiple injections were associated with worsening of joint space narrowing and increased the risk of joint replacement.

“Multiple intra-articular corticosteroid injections are no better than placebo for osteoarthritis pain according to current evidence,” the teams says. “The preliminary finding of a detrimental effect on structural osteoarthritis progression warrants further investigation.”

Arthritis Digest Magazine is selected by Feedspot as one of the Top 5 Arthritis Blogs in 2020.

For more in-depth features, interviews and information, subscribe to Arthritis Digest magazine, a popular title that’s published six times a year. Click here for the digital version or tel 01892 354087 to order your hard copy. You’ll know what your doctor is talking about, what new drugs are in the pipeline and be up to date on helpful products.