Photo Credit: Henadzi

The following is a summary of “Effectiveness of prior intra-articular corticosteroid injection in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing progressive resistance training: a randomized controlled trial,” published in the April 2025 issue of Advances in Rheumatology by Brumini et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to evaluate intra-articular injections (IAIs) of triamcinolone hexacetonide (TH) with a progressive resistance exercise program (PREP) in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). 

They randomized 59 elderly individuals with knee OA into 3 groups: IAI with TH (IAI-TH) + PREP, IAI-SS + PREP, and IAI-placebo + PREP. The IAIs were administered once, one week before starting PREP, which was performed twice weekly for 12 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 2, 6, and 12 weeks post-IAI, including pain (Numerical Pain Scale – NPS), swelling, function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index – WOMAC), quality of life (Short Form-36 – SF-36), performance tests (Six-Minute Walk Test − 6MWT, Timed Up and Go Test – TUGT, Short Physical Performance Battery – SPPB), and muscle strength (one-repetition maximum test − 1RM). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 15 participants per group were able to complete the study protocol. 

The results showed significant intragroup improvements in pain, function, muscle strength, and quality of life for all groups. No significant differences were found between the groups for any outcomes, except for the bodily pain domain of SF-36 and analgesic consumption, which showed differences over time. 

Investigators found that IAI-TH combined with a 12-week PREP was not superior to IAI-SS or placebo in improving pain, function, or quality of life in elderly patients with knee OA. They highlighted exercise as a key therapeutic strategy, regardless of prior IAI. 

Source:advancesinrheumatology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42358-025-00452-9