Investigation Into the Effects of Intra-Articular Steroid on Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis in Distal Radius Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blinded pilot study was to determine the rates of post-traumatic osteoarthritis and assess joint space width in the presence or absence of a single intra-articular injection of corticosteroid after an acute, intra-articular distal radius fracture (DRF). METHODS: Forty patients received a single, intra-articular, radiocarpal joint injection of 4 mg of dexamethasone (DEX) (n = 19) or normal saline placebo (n = 21) within 2 weeks of a surgically or nonsurgically treated intra-articular DRF. The primary outcome measure was minimum radiocarpal joint space width (mJSW) on noncontrast computed tomography scans at 2 years postinjection. Secondary outcomes were obtained at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postinjection and included Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; Michigan Hand Questionnaire; Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation; wrist range of motion; and grip strength. RESULTS: At 2-year follow-up, there was no difference in mean mJSW between the DEX group (2.2 mm; standard deviation, 0.6; range, 1.4-3.2) and the placebo group (2.3 mm; standard deviation, 0.7; range, 0.9-3.9). Further, there were no differences in any secondary outcome measures at any postinjection follow-up interval. CONCLUSIONS: Radiocarpal joint injection of corticosteroid within 2 weeks of an intra-articular DRF does not appear to affect the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis within 2 years follow-up in a small pilot cohort. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic II.

Prevention of post-traumatic osteoarthritis after intra-articular knee fractures using hyaluronic acid: a randomized prospective pilot study.

PURPOSE: Based on the irreversible destruction of hyaline cartilage, post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is a notorious sequelae after intra-articular knee fractures. This study evaluates the clinical efficacy and applicability of immediate post-operative intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (IA HA) into the knee joint with an intra-articular fracture. METHODS: Prospective randomized case-control study involving 40 patients (20 in each group) with intra-articular knee fracture with an average follow-up of 23 months (range 18-24 months). Twenty patients with intra-articular distal femoral or intra-articular proximal tibial fractures who met our inclusion criteria received three intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections weekly starting immediately after ORIF. Another 20 patients serving as a control group received no injection after ORIF. Patients were assessed functionally with Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Plain X-rays and when indicated CT scans were used to assess radiological union. RESULTS: The results showed patients treated with intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection after fixation had significantly less pain (KOOS) (p = 0.01). No significant difference was found between both groups in other KOOS-related outcome measures, complications, functional outcome, or quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results support a direct role for hyaluronic acid in the acute phase of the inflammatory process that follows articular injury and provides initial evidence for the efficacy of IA HA.