Steroids are among the most potent antirheumatic drugs, but carry unacceptable adverse effects during long-term systemic application. In children with pauciarthritis intra-articular steroids have been recommended.
We assessed the effect of intra-articular triamcinolone-hexacetonide in 16 joints of 12 children and adolescents with chronic arthritis unresponsive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
All joints improved and no side effects were observed by clinical and roentgenographic means. After a follow-up of 12 months after a single injection 9 joints were without arthritis and 3 joints showed minimal effusion without limitation of motion. In 4 joints arthritis reappeared after 1, 6, 7 and 7 months.
Intra-articular steroid therapy is a highly effective alternative in the treatment of children and adolescents with chronic arthritis.