Bilateral Knee Osteonecrosis After Intraarticular Concomitant Local Anesthetic and Corticosteroid Injection: A Case Report

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint diseases that represents the most notable basis of disability. Osteoarthritis is characterized by degeneration of the articular cartilage, osteophyte formation, and subchondral changes. Conservative treatment can be preferred if articular cartilage damage is not extensive. One of the non-operative preferred modality by the clinicians is the intraarticular injection therapy with local anesthetics, corticosteroids, or combination of both. The current literature and our experience indicate that intraarticular injections have positive effects for patient satisfaction. Intraarticular corticosteroid injections provide short term reduction in osteoarthritis pain. Although these drugs reduce pain and disability, they also have side affects such as chondrocyte damage that causes early osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis. We aim to present a case who developed bilateral knee avascular necrosis in a short time due to intrarticular injection of both corticosteroid and local anesthetics.