The Elbow

HELP : TREATMENT

The I.A. injections show a deterioration

· Causing an Iatrogenic infectious arthritis.

Although the chance for an infection after an intra-articular injection
is very small, it still represents a very serious and (with older or
weakened persons) sometimes live threatening complication.
Thus, I.A. injections should only be administered if a thorough
antiseptic care is ensured especially when the injection is made into
a high-risk patient.

· Flare up of a crystal-induced arthritis.

Triamcinolone-acetonide is administered under the form of a crystalline
suspension. The crystals can cause a self limiting crystal
synovitis : an increase of the inflammation a couple of hours
after the injection and disappearing spontaneously after 24 to
72 hours. The differential diagnosis with a septic arthritis is not
always clear, although the latter occurs somewhat later and is
accompanied by fever and a general feeling of being unwell.