Corticosteroids are substances originally derived from the adrenal gland, and which function to reduce inflammation. Modern corticosteroids are commercially synthesised.
Corticosteroid injections into the knee
Corticosteroids such as triamcinolone are often administered to patients with knee osteoarthritis as an injection into the cavity of the knee joint. Here it may calm associated synovitis and reduce any effusion, but the effect on pain is usually shortlived, lasting only a few weeks. Frequent administration may cause deterioration of the joint cartilage and worsening of the problem.
CLINICAL PUBLICATIONS
Corticosteroid injections for osteoarthritis of the knee: meta-analysis. Arroll B and Goodyear-Smith F. BMJ. 2004 Apr 10; 328(7444): 869.
Intra-articular corticosteroid for knee osteoarthritis. Jüni P, Hari R, Rutjes AW, Fischer R, Silletta MG, Reichenbach S and da Costa BR. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Oct 22;(10):CD005328. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005328.pub3.