Steroids (triamcinolone)
Steroid injections are a common treatment of arthritis in people and animals.
However, we know that repeated steroid injections can be detrimental to the cartilage, so we typically recommend reserving steroid injections as a last resort for “end-stage” disease when there is little to no cartilage remaining.
Steroids can be effective in decreasing inflammation and pain in the joint. Steroids are typically combined with HA when administered.
One study showed equivalent results of HA plus steroids vs. ACP (Arthrex brand of PRP). Improvements were seen as soon as 1 week after injection and lasted at least 12 weeks (Franklin SP 2013).
References
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Canapp SO, Cross AR, Brown MP, et al. Examination of synovial fluid and serum following intravenous injections of hyaluronan for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2005;18:19-174.
Smith GN, Mickler EA, Myers SL, Brandt KD. Effect of intraarticular hyaluronan injections on synovial fluid hyaluronan in the early stage of canine post-traumatic osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol 2001;28:1341-1346.
Pashuck TD, Kuroki K, Cook CR, et al. Hyaluronic acid versus saline intra-articular injections for amelioration of chronic knee osteoarthritis: A canine model. J Orthop Res 2016; 34:1772-1779.
Carapebe GOL, Cavaleti P, Nicacio GM, et al. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid compared to traditional conservative treatment in dogs with osteoarthritis associated with hip dysplasia. Evidence-Based Comp Alt Med 2016.