Ultrasound detected synovial change and pain response following intra-articular injection of corticosteroid and a placebo in symptomatic osteoarthritic knees: a pilot study

25 patients with knee osteoarthritis were included in this crossover trial which randomized participants to the order in which they received an intraarticular methylprednisolone injection and intraarticular placebo injection. Changes in pain, function, and ultrasound results after 1-week were documented following both types of injection. Results demonstrated no significant differences between steroid and placebo injections for improvement in pain on a visual analog scale, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and ultrasound assessment of effusion and synovial hypertrophy.