[Intra-articular infiltrations in rheumatology: update]

Intra-articular treatments are very useful in the daily practice of rheumatology, although their survival in the joint cavity is short and their mode of action still widely misunderstood. Corticosteroids were first used in fifty's, and are still the most widely used, despite potential local and systemic side effects. In recentyears, other molecules have been developed, especially in the treatment of osteoarthritis, but their effectiveness is controversial. Therapeutic trials were conducted with biological treatments in inflammatory arthritis, without success so far In the area of biotechnology, molecules to increase the survival of drugs into the joint are in preparation.