Intra-articular injection drugs:
Can effectively relieve pain and improve joint function. However, this method is an invasive treatment that may increase the risk of infection and requires strict aseptic and standardized operation.
(1) Glucocorticoids: Act quickly and provide significant short-term pain relief [49], but repeated use of steroids may have adverse effects on joint cartilage [50]. It is recommended to use no more than 2–3 times per year, with injection intervals no less than 3–6 months [23,27].
(2) Sodium hyaluronate: Can improve joint function, relieve pain, has a high safety profile, reduce the use of analgesics, and is more effective in early to mid-stage OA patients [23,27,51,52]. However, its role in cartilage protection and disease progression delay remains controversial [27,45]; application should be based on the individual patient’s condition.
(3) Medical chitosan: Can promote the synthesis of cartilage extracellular matrix, reduce inflammatory response, and regulate cartilage cell metabolism [53]; it has viscoelasticity and slow absorption, can be used as a supplement to synovial fluid, slow arthritis progression [54], reduce joint pain, and improve function. Suitable for early to mid-stage OA patients, with 2–3 injections per treatment course and 1–2 courses per year.
(4) Growth factors and platelet-rich plasma: Can improve local inflammatory response and participate in intra-articular tissue repair and regeneration; however, further research is needed on their mechanisms and long-term efficacy [55]. Clinically, they can be selectively used in symptomatic OA patients.
Osteoarthritis Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines (2018 Edition)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7926841/
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1P24y1E7vY
How to Perform Joint Injection
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1NY41147Kz/