Comparative study between intra-articular steroidal and non steroidal therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee

ABSTRACT

Forty healthy patients without local or systemic contraindication for intra-articular drug injection were submitted for management of chronic pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee joint. They were divided into two groups [each contained 20 patients] Group A in which steroidal drug depomedrol was injected intra-articularly, and group B, in which non steroidal drug [liometacen] was used. All patients were assessed as regards analgesia, B.P., pulse and respiratory rate, cortisol, sugar and serum potassium level and were observed for the knee motion degree in flexion and extension. Analgesia and articular mobility were found to be satisfactory in group "A" [depomedrol group] and unsatisfactory in group "B" [liometacen group]. Regarding pulse rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate showed insignificant change in both groups. Serum cortisol level was estimated in the 2 groups and showed that its level was decreased after pain relief in group "A" and insignificantly decreased in group "B". Blood glucose and serum potassium level were also estimated before and after therapy but with no significant importance in both groups