Intra-articular triamcinolone hexacetonide and osmic acid in persistent synovitis of the knee

43 rheumatoid knees with persistent effusion were treated by intra-articular injections of triamcinolone hexacetonide (40 mg) or combined triamcinolone - osmic acid. Both treatments produced long-lasting improvements in the treated knees. Osmic acid seemed to potentiate the effect of the steroid. This demonstrated by measurement of joint circumference and local 99mTc uptake. In the general clinical evaluation the difference between the treatments was not noticeable. The percentage of 'excellent' and 'good' improvements was 36 at 12 months in the steroid-group and 44 in the steroid-osmic acid group.