Pharmacology of intra-articular triamcinolone

Corticosteroids for the Treatment of Internal Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Background: We evaluated the comparative effectiveness of all intra-articular injection corticosteroids for treating internal temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and LILACS through December 2023. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) enrolling patients with symptomatic internal disorders of the TMJ comparing any type of intra-articular corticosteroid therapy against another or to another minimally invasive therapy. The outcomes of interest were pain, range of mandibular motion (RoM), quality of life (QoL) and adverse effects at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. We assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. We conducted a frequentist network meta-analysis and assessed the certainty of the evidence (CoE) using GRADE. Results: We included 20 RCTs enrolling 810 participants, which assessed five corticosteroids alone or combined with arthrocentesis or hyaluronic acid. Based on moderate CoE, betamethasone is among the most effective corticosteroids for reducing pain at one (mean difference compared to arthrocentesis [MD], -3.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], -4.55 to -3.05) and three months (MD, -2.74; 95%CI, -3.42 to -2.06), and arthrocentesis plus dexamethasone at six months (MD, -0.80; 95%CI, -1.57 to -0.03). There was no convincing evidence that any intervention was better than arthrocentesis for improving the RoM and QoL at any follow-up time. Methylprednisolone may be more harmful than arthrocentesis for adverse effects. Discussion: Betamethasone and arthrocentesis plus dexamethasone are the most effective in managing pain in the short and medium term compared to arthrocentesis (moderate CoE). Decisions about their use should consider other factors, such as costs, feasibility, and acceptability. Future research should consider QoL as an outcome and assess participants at longer follow-up periods.

Improved Pain and Function With Triamcinolone Acetonide Extended-Release and Cryoneurolysis for Knee Osteoarthritis: Use of a New Real-World Registry

BACKGROUND

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) affects 19% of American adults aged more than 45 years and costs $27+ billion annually. A wide range of nonoperative treatment options are available. This study compared 6 treatments: cryoneurolysis with deep genicular nerve block (Cryo-Deep/Both), cryoneurolysis with superficial nerve block (Cryo-Superficial), intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IA-HA) injections, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug injections (IA-NSAIDs), IA-corticosteroids (IA-CS) injections, or IA-triamcinolone extended release (IA-TA-ER) injections over 4 months for: (1) pain severity and analgesic use; and (2) physical function (from Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement).

METHODS

Patients who had unilateral knee OA and received nonoperative intervention were enrolled in the Innovations in Genicular Outcomes Research registry, a novel, multicenter real-world registry, between September 2021 and February 2024. A total of 480 patients were enrolled. Both pain and functional outcomes were assessed at baseline, weekly, and monthly, which were analyzed by overall trend, magnitude changes pretreatment to post-treatment, and distribution-based minimally clinically important difference (MCID) score. Multivariate linear regressions with adjustments for 7 confounding factors were used to compare follow-up outcomes among 6 treatment groups.

RESULTS

Use of IA-TA-ER injections was associated with the lowest pain, greatest pain reduction, and highest prevalence of patients achieving MCID relative to other treatments (P < .001). Deep/Both-Cryo and IA-CS were associated with a higher prevalence of achieving MCID than IA-HA, IA-NSAIDs, and Cryo-Superficial (P ≤ .001). Use of IA-TA-ER was also associated with the greatest functional score, improvement from baseline, and highest prevalence of patients achieving MCID than other treatments (P ≤ .003).

CONCLUSIONS

The IA-TA-ER appears to outperform other treatments in terms of pain relief and functional improvement for up to 4 months following treatment. In addition, outcomes in the novel cryoneurolysis and conventional IA-CS were similar to one another and better than those in IA-HA and IA-NSAIDs.

Conservative treatment of a synovial cyst in a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) with triamcinolone acetonide

In human and veterinary medicine, the treatment of synovial cysts involves medical or surgical approach. When medical treatment is chosen, triamcinolone acetonide is one of the most used drugs. In this case, intracystic triamcinolone was administered for the treatment of a non-infectious elbow synovial cyst in a subadult female Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), unable to fly. The bird was brought to a wildlife rescue center after an aerial fight with a conspecific. After the treatment, no clinically detectable adverse effects were noted and there was no recurrence within two weeks. Given the improvement of the clinical conditions and the recovery of flight ability, the animal was released back into the wild 17 days after administration of the drug.

Osteoarthritis

The clinical appearance and radiological pattern of osteoarthritis have been identified in the skeletons of dinosaurs some 50-70 million years old, and in Egyptian mummies, and in ancient skeletons in England. Osteoarthritis patterns of joint involvement, often referred to as primary osteoarthritis, can be seen in the hands, spinal facet joints, hips, knees and feet, but can also be termed secondary osteoarthritis when seen in any joint that has had trauma, sepsis, surgery or metabolic insult. The prevalence of osteoarthritis increases with age. The histology and pathophysiology both demonstrate an inflammatory process. While there have been studies of genetic predisposition, the basic cause of primary osteoarthritis has not been determined.

Efficacy of Intra-articular Triamcinolone and Hyaluronic Acid in a Frozen Shoulder Rat Model

BACKGROUND

Intra-articular corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid (HA) is commonly prescribed for frozen shoulder. However, few studies have investigated histological and molecular changes after injection.

PURPOSE

To compare the effectiveness of intra-articular injections of triamcinolone and HA in a frozen shoulder rat model and verify a greater effect of triamcinolone in passive shoulder abduction compared with HA.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS

Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n = 5 in each): control group, which did not receive cast immobilization or injection, and 3 experimental groups, which received 3 weeks of unilateral shoulder immobilization followed by intra-articular injections (normal saline, triamcinolone, or HA) at the immobilized shoulder. Passive shoulder abduction angle, histological and immunohistochemical staining, and Western blotting results were assessed 2 weeks after injection. The intensity and extent of staining were converted to semiquantitative scores for further analysis.

RESULTS

Shoulder abduction angles before sacrifice were 153.0°± 2.7° (control group), 107.0°± 5.7° (saline group), 139.0°± 9.6° (triamcinoline group), and 110.0°± 10.6° (HA group), showing significant differences between control and saline groups, control and HA groups, saline and triamcinoline groups, and triamcinoline and HA groups (P < .001) but not between control and triamcinoline groups (P = .053). Histologic evaluation revealed an increase in synovial folds and thickening of the capsular membrane in the saline and HA groups; this change was not evident in the triamcinolone group. A comparison of semiquantitative scores revealed greater expression levels of proteins involved in fibrosis and angiogenesis in the saline and HA groups compared with the control and triamcinolone groups. In Western blotting, the expression of inflammatory cytokines and the receptor for advanced glycation end products was significantly lower in the triamcinolone and HA groups than in the saline group.

CONCLUSION

Triamcinolone injection was more effective than normal saline or HA injection in improving range of motion and reversing fibrotic and angiogenic features of frozen shoulder. Both triamcinolone and HA injections elicited anti-inflammatory effects.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The antifibrotic and antiangiogenic properties of triamcinolone and the anti-inflammatory properties of both triamcinolone and HA should be considered when performing injections in clinical settings.

Arthrocentesis and soft tissue aspiration and injection

Accessing a joint with a needle (arthrocentesis) to extract synovial fluid is a skill intrinsic to the rheumatologist's praxis. Joint aspirations are essential for diagnosing or excluding septic joints, are the gold standard for diagnosing acute crystal arthritis, and can provide valuable information about the nature of other forms of arthritis. In appropriate settings, injecting medications into joints can provide rapid, temporary, or even prolonged relief of pain and swelling and can provide a window of relief until other treatment modalities (anti-inflammatories, immunomodulators, and physical therapy) can enforce durable responses. Soft tissue aspirations (e.g., of bursae) and soft tissue injections (of bursae, tendons, trigger points, and areas of nerve compression) can provide similar relief, earning the practitioner the gratitude of the patient. Here, we provide a primary on joint and soft tissue aspiration and injection, including indications for and against procedures, preparing for procedures, and approaches to specific musculoskeletal structures.

COVID-19 and corticosteroids: a narrative review

It has been reported that corticosteroid therapy was effective in the management of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and recently in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatory drugs that mitigate the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 and other viral pneumonia, despite a reduction of viral clearance; corticosteroids inhibit the development of cytokine storm and multi-organ damage. The risk-benefit ratio should be assessed for critical COVID-19 patients. In conclusion, corticosteroid therapy is an effective way in the management of COVID-19, it reduces the risk of complications primarily acute lung injury and the development of ARDS. Besides, corticosteroid therapy mainly dexamethasone and methylprednisolone are effective in reducing the severity of COVID-19 and associated comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Comparison of efficacy between triamcinolone acetonide and triamcinolone hexacetonide for intraarticular therapy in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a retrospective analysis

Background

There are many FDA-approved corticosteroid preparations available for intra-articular injection, however triamcinolone hexacetonide is not one of them. It was the intraarticular drug of choice among pediatric rheumatologists up until approximately a decade ago, when production of this medication ceased. It can be obtained in the United States and Canada via importation from Europe, but it is not FDA-approved at this time. We wish to compare the duration of remission of intraarticular triamcinolone hexacetonide (TH) with that of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and demonstrate its safety in this population.

Methods

This retrospective chart review included 39 patients with JIA who received intraarticular corticosteroid injections (IACIs) from September 2018 to September 2019. These patients were reviewed and their life-time injections with either TH (41 joints) or TA (124 joints) was noted through May 30, 2021. Patients with concomitant systemic therapy initiation were excluded. The primary outcome was time to relapse. Relapse was defined by the presence of arthritis on physical examination by an attending rheumatologist. Kaplan–Meier curves and a log-rank test were constructed to compare the probability of time to relapse between IACI injections. Additionally, mixed effects cox regression models were constructed to account for multiple injections per participant.

Results

Kaplan–Meier estimator of median relapse time in months was higher for TH. Based on the log-rank test, TA joints had a higher probability of experiencing a relapse during the study time (p value < 0.001). The hazard of time to relapse was reduced when comparing TH to TA in both unadjusted and adjusted mixed effects cox regression models [unadjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.184 (0.089, 0.381); adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.189 (0.092, 0.386)].

Conclusions

TH has longer duration of action than TA and is associated with less systemic side effects. It should be considered the drug of choice for intraarticular corticosteroid injections in children with JIA.

Can Intra-articular Injection of Glucocorticoids Be an Alternative Intervention to Achieve Remission in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Exhibiting Low Disease Activity? A Single-Center Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at investigating whether a single intra-articular (IA) injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) could facilitate to achieve clinical remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) exhibiting low disease activity (LDA).

METHODS

This longitudinal study included 22 patients with RA exhibiting LDA involving wrist arthritis at our institution between April 2016 and March 2019. A single IA injection of 20 mg TA was administered into the symptomatic wrist joint. Efficacy was assessed by the primary end point of proportion of patients reaching clinical remission. Secondary end points included Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, adverse events, and ultrasonographic assessment of the injected wrist joints.

RESULTS

Remission rates were 40% and 50% at weeks 4 and 12, respectively, and were maintained at approximately 50% until week 24. The secondary outcomes of CDAI, SDAI, and Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index were improved significantly at week 4, and the improvements in CDAI and SDAI continued up to week 24. Ultrasonography showed that synovial hypertrophy, power Doppler signals, and the combined score were significantly reduced at weeks 4, 12, and 24 compared with the baseline. No patient developed severe, irreversible adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately half of the patients with RA exhibiting LDA who received a single IA injection of TA into the wrist joints achieved clinical remission without serious adverse events in the midterm period, suggesting that IA injection of TA might be considered as an alternative intervention to achieve remission in patients with RA exhibiting LDA.

Poly ε-Caprolactone Nanoparticles for Sustained Intra-Articular Immune Modulation in Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis Rodent Model

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder with synovitis and articular pathology as its primary expositions. Leflunomide (Lfd) is an anti-rheumatic drug that is effective in the treatment of RA, but displays severe side effects upon prolonged systemic administration. Local therapy might represent a promising strategy to treat rheumatoid arthritis without eliciting systemic adverse effects. In this study, leflunomide-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles (Lfd-NPs) were prepared and assessed as a local drug delivery system capable of alleviating RA-associated inflammation. Lfd-NPs were optimized using the Quality by Design (QbD) approach, applying a 32 full factorial design. In vitro drug release from NPs was examined in simulated synovial fluid. In addition, the in vivo efficacy of Lfd-NPs was evaluated in the Adjuvant Induced Arthritis (AIA) rodent model. Sustained drug release in simulated synovial fluid was observed for up to 168 h. A gradual reduction in paw volume and knee diameter was observed over the course of treatment, indicating the regression of the disease. In addition, significant reductions in serum proinflammatory markers and cytokines, including the C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), TNF-α, IL1-β, and IL-6, were verified upon treatment with Lfd-NPs, suggesting the modulation of immune responses at the pathological site. Most importantly, no remarkable signs of toxicity were observed in Lfd-NP-treated animals. Collectively, intra-articularly administered Lfd-NPs might represent a potential therapeutic alternative to systemically administered drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, without eliciting systemic adverse effects.

Intra-articular use of radium dichloride ([223Ra] RaCl2) showed relevant anti-inflammatory response on experimental arthritis model

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory chronic autoimmune disease. The treatment of RA is difficult and, in many cases, ineffective, and the arsenal of drugs is limited. Due the longevity of the disease, RA may cause extreme musculoskeletal disorders with a high impact on quality of life. Also, RA is related with severe comorbidities decreasing the life expectancy. Finally, RA has been reported to impact in economy and healthy public. In this direction, the necessity to discover new strategies to efficiently treat RA is immediate. In this direction, we have reported the use of low doses of [223Ra] RaCl2 (radium dichloride) as intra-articular injection to treat RA. Mice were post-treated with [223Ra] RaCl2 (1.48 µCi; i.a.) 24 h after zymosan stimulus. Zymosan-induced arthrithis is responsible for leucocyte recruitment (total leukocytes, neutrophils, and mononuclear cells), which were inhibited by intra-articular injection of [223Ra] RaCl2 (69%, 77%, and 66%, respectively).

Safety of epidural steroids: a review

Spine disease is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases, especially in an aging society. An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a highly effective treatment that can be used to bridge the gap between physical therapy and surgery. Recently, it has been increasingly used clinically. The purpose of this article is to review the complications of corticosteroids administered epidurally. Common complications include: hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, adrenal insufficiency, iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia, osteoporosis, and immunological or infectious diseases. Other less common complications include psychiatric problems and ocular ailments. However, the incidence of complications related to epidural steroids is not high, and most of them are not serious. The use of nonparticulate steroids is recommended to minimize the complications associated with epidural steroids. The appropriate interval and dosage of ESI are disputed. We recommend that the selection of appropriate ESI protocol should be based on the suppression of HPA axis, which reflects the systemic absorption of the corticosteroid.

Intra-articular corticosteroids for treatment of temporomandibular joint internal disorders: protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Internal temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are present in approximately 80% of patients with symptomatic temporomandibular disorders. Among the minimally invasive therapies, we find the intra-articular infiltration of substances, such as corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma accompanied or not by an arthrocentesis. There are several studies on minimally invasive therapy for internal TMJ disorders; however, none compares the effectiveness of the different intra-articular corticosteroids to each other.The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the different intra-articular corticosteroids for the treatment of internal disorders of the TMJ and compare them to each other or to other minimally invasive therapies.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A systematic search will be carried out up to December 2019 in the electronic databases: Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, SCOPUS and LILACS.Randomised clinical trials evaluating patients with internal disorders of the TMJ, with intra-articular corticosteroid therapy and comparing these to each other and/or to other minimally invasive therapy will be included. The main outcomes will be pain and range of motion measured through validated scales.Two review authors will independently screen search results, extract data from included studies and assess the risk of bias in those studies using the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (RoB 2.0). In the case of any discrepancy and failure to reach consensus, this will be resolved by a third reviewer.A network meta-analysis will be conducted based on direct comparisons to generate indirect comparisons of the different treatments. Data will be combined in a meta-analysis using a random effects model.The principles of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system will be used to assess the overall quality of the body of evidence associated with the main results.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This protocol will not require ethical approval. The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019129014.

Joint Space Injection for Osteitis Pubis in an Airborne Jump Injury: A Case Report

Osteitis Pubis (OP) is groin pain caused by overloading stresses on the pubic symphysis. This is often caused by the repetitive stress seen in competitive sports, but can also be caused by rapid acceleration or deceleration. It is a diagnosis of exclusion made after other entities such as fracture or infection are ruled out. It is often treated conservatively with rest, Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), and Physical Therapy (PT). After these treatment modalities have failed, intra-articular injection with local anesthetics and steroids can be considered. We report a case of a 22-year-old Male Active Duty Army Soldier who presented with OP immediately after landing during a routine Airborne Jump exercise. The Soldier reported landing in such a way that his feet did not impact the ground at the same time, creating a sheering force on his pelvis. Following two months of failed treatment involving NSAIDS and PT, the patient was referred to Sports Medicine where he received an injection of 1 mL of 1% lidocaine and 40 mg of triamcinolone into the pubic symphysis joint space. Shortly afterward the patient endorses complete resolution of his symptoms without return of symptoms at 1-month follow-up. Although injection of the pubic symphysis with local anesthetic and steroids has been previously described, this is the first time it has been described in a jump injury.

Pharmacodynamics, efficacy, safety and administration of intra-articular therapies for knee osteoarthritis

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of disability in the elderly, usually presenting with mono-or oligo-arthritis where local drug delivery by intra-articular (IA) injection may be more effective in terms of increased bioavailability, less systemic exposure and reduced adverse events. Several intra-articular medications for symptomatic are available on the market while the new disease-modifying drugs (DMOADs) are progressing into phase 3 pipeline of drug development.Areas covered: This narrative review covered the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics of clinically available IA drugs which include corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid as well as injection techniques, efficacy, adverse effects and contraindications. In addition, the authors briefly describe the newer disease-modifying OA drugs (DMOAD) which are undergoing phase 3 pipeline of development such as Fibroblast growth factor (FGF-18) and Wnt inhibitor.Expert opinion: This is a rapidly evolving area with both new products and new trials regularly emerging. It is also a critically important area in a disease field that lacks for safe and effective treatments, where intra-articular delivery may enhance both local efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity.

Ultrasound-guided intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide injection for treating refractory small joints arthritis of rheumatoid arthritis patients

To investigate the efficiency and clinical safety of intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injection under the guide of ultrasonography combined with standard treatment for treating refractory small joints arthritis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.TA was injected upon confirmation of the needle inserting into the articular cavity. The dose was 40 mg for the wrist, 20 mg for the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint and 20 mg for the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, respectively. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for joint pain, swelling, tenderness, synovial hyperplasia and power Doppler signal scores were evaluated at pretreatment, and post-treatment 24 hours, 1 week, 4 weeks as well as 12 weeks.The VAS for pain and tenderness scores showed gradual improvement at 24 hours, 1 week, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment compared with the baseline levels (P' < .005). The swelling showed no changes at 24 hours after treatment compared with the baseline, and showed gradual improvement at 1 week, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment (P' < .005). Significant decrease was noticed in the synovial hyperplasia score at 4 weeks and 12 weeks compared with the baseline level. Power Doppler signal score showed significant decrease at post-treatment 24 hours, which showed further decrease at 1 week and 4 weeks.Ultrasound-guided intra-articular TA injection is effective for treating RA patients with refractory small joints arthritis without changing the original treatment plan.

Elimination profile of triamcinolone hexacetonide and its metabolites in human urine and plasma after a single intra-articular administration

Triamcinolone hexacetonide (THA) is a synthetic glucocorticoid (GC) used by intra-articular (IA) administration. GCs are prohibited in sports competitions by systemic routes, and they are allowed by other routes considered of local action (IA administration, among others). The aim of the present work was to study the metabolic profile of THA in urine and plasma following IA administration. Eight patients (4 males and 4 females) with knee osteoarthritis received an IA dose of THA (40 mg) in the knee joint. Spot urine and plasma samples were collected before injection and at different time periods up to day 23 and 10 post-administration, respectively. The samples were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Neither THA nor specific THA metabolites were detected in urine. Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and 6β-hydroxy-triamcinolone acetonide were the main urinary metabolites. Maximum concentrations wereobtained between 24 and 48 h after administration. Using the reporting level of 30 ng/mL to distinguish allowed from forbidden administrations of GCs, a large number of false adverse analytical findings would be reported up to day 4. On the other hand, TA was detected in all plasma samples collected up to day 10 after administration. THA was also detected in plasma but at lower concentrations. The detection of plasma THA would be an unequivocal proof to demonstrate IA use of THA. A reversible decrease was observed in plasma concentrations of cortisol in some of the patients, indicating a systemic effect of the drug.

High- vs Low-Dose Corticosteroid Injection in the Treatment of Adhesive Capsulitis with Severe Pain: A Randomized Controlled Double-Blind Study

Objective

To compare the degree of pain relief between high-dose (40 mg of triamcinolone acetonide) and low-dose (20 mg of triamcinolone acetonide) corticosteroid injections in patients with severe pain due to adhesive capsulitis.

Design

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, dose-comparative study.

Subjects

A total of 32 patients who were diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis and who expressed severe pain intensity, 8 or more points on a numeric rating scale (NRS).

Methods

Patients received injections of high- or low-dose triamcinolone acetonide under ultrasound guidance. NRS, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and the passive range of motion (PROM) in four directions were evaluated before and three weeks after the injection.

Results

NRS scores showed significant improvement three weeks after the injection in both groups (P = 0.01 in both the low-dose group and high-dose group), but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.63). SPADI score significantly improved at three weeks after the injection in both groups (P = 0.02 in the low-dose group and P < 0.01 in the high-dose group), but group difference was not observed (P = 0.06). The change of PROM in four directions after the injection did not show any significant difference between the low- and high-dose groups.

Conclusions

Injection of 20 mg of triamcinolone acetonide is sufficient to elicit symptom relief in patients with severe adhesive capsulitis; hence, 20 mg of triamcinolone acetonide can be recommended in patients with adhesive capsulitis with severe pain.

Triamcinolone Acetonide Extended-Release: A Review in Osteoarthritis Pain of the Knee

Triamcinolone acetonide extended-release (ER) 32 mg (Zilretta®) is approved in the USA for the management of osteoarthritis (OA) pain of the knee and is administered as a single, 5 mL intra-articular (IA) injection. Although the therapeutic effects from IA corticosteroids are typically short-lived, triamcinolone acetonide ER is formulated in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres that slowly release triamcinolone acetonide in the synovium, enabling their prolonged presence in the joint. This reduces systemic exposure and lessens corticosteroid-related systemic adverse reactions, such as blood glucose elevations. In a 24-week, randomized, phase III clinical trial, triamcinolone acetonide ER 32 mg significantly improved mean average daily pain intensity in patients with knee OA relative to placebo, and pain, stiffness and physical function (according to WOMAC criteria) relative to placebo and triamcinolone acetonide crystalline suspension (CS). Triamcinolone acetonide ER was generally well tolerated, with a tolerability profile similar to that of triamcinolone acetonide CS and placebo. Findings from a single-arm phase IIIb study indicated that a repeat administration of triamcinolone acetonide ER may be similarly efficacious to an initial injection without having deleterious effects on cartilage or other aspects of joint structure. Thus, triamcinolone acetonide ER expands the treatment options available for the management of OA pain of the knee.

Glucocorticoid signaling and osteoarthritis

Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones synthesized and released by the adrenal cortex. Their main function is to maintain cell homeostasis through a variety of signaling pathways, responding to changes in an organism's environment or developmental status. Mimicking the actions of natural glucocorticoids, synthetic glucocorticoids have been recruited to treat many diseases that implicate glucocorticoid receptor signaling such as osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, synthetic glucocorticoids aim to alleviate inflammation and pain. The variation of patients' response and the possibility of complications associated with their long-term use have led to a need for a better understanding of glucocorticoid receptor signaling in osteoarthritis. In this review, we performed a literature search in the molecular pathways that link the osteoarthritic joint to the glucocorticoid receptor signaling. We hope that this information will advance research in the field and propose new molecular targets for the development of more optimized therapies for osteoarthritis.

Characteristics of particulate and non-particulate corticosteroids. Indications for their use in chronic pain treatments

Corticosteroids been used frequently in pain treatments since the middle of last century (1952). Due to a review of the complications as a result of their application in epidural injections, the United States of America Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an «alert controversy» requesting that a warning label should be added to injectable corticosteroids, where risks must be described (loss of sight, brain damage, paralysis and death) when administering by this route. It must be mentioned that there are different types of corticosteroids with diverse characteristics, which as a result, may produce different side-effects. Due to the aforementioned developments, the controversies that have arisen, and the lack of well-conducted studies on the use of steroids in epidural injections, we must begin by reviewing their indications in different pain conditions.

Randomized controlled studies on the efficacy of antiarthritic agents in inhibiting cartilage degeneration and pain associated with progression of osteoarthritis in the rat

Background

As an initial step in the development of a local therapeutic to treat osteoarthritis (OA), a number of agents were tested for their ability to block activation of inflammation through nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), subchondral bone changes through receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)-mediated osteoclastogenesis, and proteolytic degradation through matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 activity. Candidates with low toxicity and predicted efficacy were further examined using either of two widely accepted models of OA joint degeneration in the rat: the monoiodoacetic acid (MIA) model or the medial meniscal tear/medial collateral ligament tear (MMT/MCLT) model.

Methods

Potential therapeutics were assessed for their effects on the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis, and MMP-13 activity in vitro using previously established assays. Toxicity was measured using HeLa cells, a synovial cell line, or primary human chondrocytes. Drugs predicted to perform well in vivo were tested either systemically or via intraarticular injection in the MIA or the MMT/MCLT model of OA. Pain behavior was measured by mechanical hyperalgesia using the digital Randall-Selitto test (dRS) or by incapacitance with weight bearing (WB). Joint degeneration was evaluated using micro computed tomography and a comprehensive semiquantitative scoring of cartilage, subchondral bone, and synovial histopathology.

Results

Several agents were effective both in vitro and in vivo. With regard to pain behavior, systemically delivered clonidine was superior in treating MIA-induced changes in WB or dRS, while systemic clonidine, curcumin, tacrolimus, and fluocinolone were all somewhat effective in modifying MMT/MCLT-induced changes in WB. Systemic tacrolimus was the most effective in slowing disease progression as measured by histopathology in the MMT/MCLT model.

Conclusions

All of the agents that demonstrated highest benefit in vivo, excepting clonidine, were found to inhibit MMP-13, NF-κB, and bone matrix remodeling in vitro. The MIA and MMT/MCLT models of OA, previously shown to possess inflammatory characteristics and to display associated pain behavior, were affected to different degrees by the same drugs. Although no therapeutic was remarkable across all measures, the several which showed the most promise in either model merit continued study with alternative dosing and therapeutic strategies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-016-0921-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Triamcinolone–carbon nanotube conjugation inhibits inflammation of human arthritis synovial fibroblasts

Repetitive intra-articular corticosteroid injections are inevitable for treating synovial inflammation in advanced arthritis.