REPEATED CORTICOSTEROID INJECTIONS INTO KNEE JOINTS

Abstract
The effect of intra-articular injections of corticosteroids repeated over a period extending from four to 15 years on the radiological appearances of knee joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis has been studied. In 65 cases, the X-ray films of 15 showed no deterioration, 38 showed minimal or moderate deterioration, 10 showed marked deterioration and only 2 showed gross deterioration. The results do not support the contention that repeated intra-articular injections of corticosteroids will inevitably lead to rapid joint destruction. The authors are of the opinion that intra-articular injections of corticosteroids, if used judiciously, have an important part to play in the management of chronic arthritis.

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