Morphological changes in articular tissues due to injections of glucocorticoids into small joints (experimental study)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26641/1997-9665.2025.3.162-166

Keywords:

osteoarthritis of the hand, glucocorticoids, intra-articular injections, synovitis, dystrophic changes in articular cartilage, subchondral osteoporosis.

Abstract

Background. Intra-articular injections of glucocorticoids have been used for many years as an effective and safe method of eliminating inflammatory manifestations and pain in osteoarthritis of large joints, primarily the knee. At the same time, it is believed that intra-articular injections should not be used in osteoarthritis of the hand in general, but may be considered in patients with painful interphalangeal joints, however, how this will affect the further course of the disease is currently unknown. Guided by ethical considerations, it is advisable to investigate the effect of intra-articular injections of glucocorticoids on the tissues of small joints in an animal experiment. Aim. Determination of the effect of glucocorticoid injections into small joints on the condition of articular tissues. Methods. Histological studies of the tissues of the knee joints of 12 rats of the Wistar line, which were previously injected with dexamethasone into the knee joints, were carried out. Results. Microscopic examination of tissue samples of knee joints revealed the phenomena of synovitis, severe subchondral osteoporosis and pathological changes in articular cartilage of varying severity. It can be assumed that such changes in articular tissues are due to the creation of too high a local concentration of dexamethasone, if it is injected into a small joint, which has a very small cavity and, accordingly, contains a very small amount of synovial fluid, so the dose of the drug is delayed for a long time and It turns out to be toxic to all joint tissues. Conclusion. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that intra-articular injections of glucocorticoids into the interphalangeal joints in osteoarthritis of the hands carry the risks of traumatization of articular tissues and cause their pathological changes similar to those caused by OA itself. Therefore, for the treatment of pain in the interphalangeal joints in osteoarthritis of the hands, it is proposed to use other anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs and not to consider intra-articular administration of glucocorticoids.

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Published

2025-10-30

How to Cite

Zherebkin , V., Shiyan , D., Cheverda , V., Borzenkova , I., & Lodyana , I. (2025). Morphological changes in articular tissues due to injections of glucocorticoids into small joints (experimental study). Морфологія / Morphologia / Morfologìâ, 19(3), 162–166. https://doi.org/10.26641/1997-9665.2025.3.162-166

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 3 (2025)

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