To study results of articular triamcinolone versus hyaluronic acid injection in osteoarthrosis of knee

Abstract

To decide efficacy of TA vs HA in osteoarthritic patients. Most treatment modalities provide symptomatic relief but intra articular injections with TA and HA probably have the potential of altering the course of the disease. Methods: 60 subjects attending the study scheduled to be given the defined intra articular injection were enrolled as per the study selection criteria. Results: Mean age of cases in TA group was 57 years while it was 58.5 years for cases in HA group (p-0.322). Mean VAS score was comparable between TA and HA group at baseline (p-0.313). After 1 week of intra-articular injection, pain reduction was more in TA group as compared to HA (p<0.05). However, the results were comparable from week 3 onwards (p>0.05). By the end of 1 year, VAS score was comparable to baseline in TA group (p-0.81) while it was still significantly lower than baseline in HA group (p<0.05). Incidence of complications were comparable between two groups with flare ups seen in 13.3% and 6.7% cases of TA and HA group respectively. Acute synovitis developed in 3.3% and 6.7% cases of TA and HA group while 1 case (3.3%) of HA group developed Haemarthrosis. Conclusion:Study shows difference between the 2 intervention groups is the duration of effectiveness. TA mitigates pain faster than HA but the effect of HA is more sustained. Thus HA appears to be superior in duration of pain relief when compared to TA while pain relief is faster with TA.