The effect of intra-articular triamcinolone preparations on blood glucose levels in diabetic patients: a controlled study.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of intra-articular (IA) triamcinolone hexacetonide (TAH) and triamcinolone acetonide (TA) on blood glucose levels in patients with controlled diabetes with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK).

Methods: Patients with controlled diabetes with symptomatic OAK who failed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy and use modern versions of self-monitoring blood glucose devices were offered an IA injection of either 20 mg of TAH or 40 mg of TA. If agreed, patients were asked to document blood glucose levels before and 2 hr after meals for 1 week before and daily for 5 days then every other day for 1 week following the injection.