Changes in ultrasound assessed markers of inflammation following intra-articular steroid injection combined with exercise in knee osteoarthritis: exploratory outcome from a randomized trial

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

100 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized to receive physical therapy with either an intra-articular (IA) corticosteroid injection of 1mL methylprednisolone (40mg DepoMedrol, Pfizer) dissolved in 4mL lidocaine (10mg/mL, SAD), or an IA placebo injection of 1mL isotonic saline with 4mL lidocaine (10mg/mL, SAD). The purpose of this study was to determine whether an IA corticosteroid injection in combination with physical therapy is able to improve ultrasound-assessed signs of inflammation such as synovial hypertrophy, Doppler activity, and Baker's cyst presence after 12 weeks of treatment. Findings indicated comparable outcomes between the two groups for all of the aforementioned outcomes after final follow-up (week 26).