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  • Title: Glucocorticoid resorption and influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis after intra-articular treatment of the knee in resting and mobile patients.
    Author: Weitoft T, Rönnblom L.
    Journal: Ann Rheum Dis; 2006 Jul; 65(7):955-7. PubMed ID: 16769782.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that intra-articular glucocorticoid injection treatment for knee synovitis has a better outcome in resting patients than in mobile patients. One reason for this observation might be that rest retards steroid resorption, causing an enhanced local treatment effect. OBJECTIVES: To study drug resorption and the impact on hormone production in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis after intra-articular glucocorticoid administration, with and without postinjection rest. METHODS: Twenty patients with rheumatoid arthritis and knee synovitis were randomised to either 24 hour bed rest or normal activity after intra-articular glucocorticoid treatment with 20 mg triamcinolone hexacetonide (THA). Serum levels of THA, cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were followed during 2 weeks. RESULTS: Short term and reversible decreases in serum cortisol and ACTH levels (p<0.001) were seen, without any significant differences between resting and mobile patients. The THA levels increased similarly in both groups, with the median serum peak seen after 8 hours. CONCLUSION: Immobilisation does not appear to retard glucocorticoid resorption after intra-articular administration. Further studies are therefore needed to clarify the mechanism behind the beneficial effects of rest after intra-articular glucocorticoid treatment for knee synovitis.
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