مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - The effect of ultrasonography guided intra-articular corticosteroid injections in advanced knee osteoarthritis

Abstract :

Purpose: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of ultrasonography-guided intra-articular corticosteroid injection on pain, functional status and quality of life in patients with advanced knee osteoarthrit.Materials and methods: 50 knees of 26 patients who were diagnosed as grade 4 knee osteoarthritis according to Kellgren - Lawrence classification system were treated with ultrasonography-guided intra-articular injection of 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Perceived pain, weekly analgesic consumption, findings of physical examination, knee pain threshold, functional status and quality of life were evaluated before and four weeks after the injection.Western - Ontario and McMaster Universities’ (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index was used to assess functional status, and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) was used to evaluate the quality of life.Results: Mean age of the patients in the study was 65±7.5 years and mean symptom duration was 74.7± 32.5 months. Visual analog scale for pain decreased from 85.3.±14.1 mm to 59, 6±21.1 mm (p=0.003) and mean analgesic consumption decreased from 8±3 to 3±2 (p=0.000). Total WOMAC score (p=0.000) and scores of 4 NHP subdivisions (pain (p=0.000); physical mobility (p=0.003), social isolation (p=0.012); emotional reactions (p=0.016) decreased significantly 4 weeks after the injection.Conclusion: Injection under ultrasonography guidance may improve the beneficial effects of corticosteroids in advanced knee osteoarthritis.