Intra-articular steroids in osteoarthritis

16 patients (24 knees) with knee osteoarthritis were randomized to an injection with either 20mg triamcinolone hexacetonide or placebo. After 1 week, patients initially administered a triamcinolone hexacetonide injection received a saline injection, and patients initially administered a saline injection received a triamcinolone hexacetonide injection. Patients were assessed for pain and tenderness & stiffness before each injection, and at 1 week after the second injection. At 1 week after the first injection, patients who received a triamcinolone hexacetonide injection demonstrated a significant within-group reduction in pain and tenderness, while patients who received placebo did not. At 1 week after the second injection, patients who initially received the triamcinolone hexacetonide injection demonstrated no significant further reduction in pain and tenderness following saline injection, while those who initially received a saline injection demonstrated a significant within-group reduction in pain and tenderness following the second injection with triamcinolone hexacetonide.