Intra-articular injection of tenoxicam in osteoarthritic knee joints with effusion.

Thirty patients who had grade II to III osteoarthritis according to Kellgren-Lawrence system and presenting with acute effusion of the knee joint were randomly assigned to 2 groups. All patients were treated with aspiration of the synovial fluid, cold application, and rest. Fifteen patients received an intra-articular injection of tenoxicam 20 mg following aspiration. The other group was administered oral tenoxicam 20 mg a day for 10 days. Patients were examined at 2, 4, and 8 weeks and then in 3-month intervals. At followup visits, pain was assessed using visual analog scale: range of motion, and effusion of the knee joint were recorded. A repeated measure test was used to determine the significance of changes in pain and mobility between the groups. Student's Neyman Keuls test was used to determine the significance of differences within the groups. Chi-square test was used for the number of episodes. The intra-articular injection group had more rapid pain relief than the oral treatment group (P < .01). At the end of 1 year, the number of effusions was significantly lower in the intra-articular treatment group (P < .01). These results indicate that intra-articular injection of tenoxicam provides rapid pain relief in the patients with acute flare-up of knee osteoarthritis and helps to prevent effusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]