intraartikular

Intra-articular is an adjective used in medicine to describe anything located within a joint capsule. The term comes from the Latin intra- meaning within and articulatio meaning joint. It is commonly applied to procedures, injections, medications, or analyses that are introduced or occur inside a synovial joint, such as the knee, shoulder, hip, or ankle.

The most frequent clinical use is to perform arthrocentesis and intra-articular injections. Arthrocentesis involves drawing synovial fluid from a joint for diagnostic analysis, which can help distinguish inflammatory from non-inflammatory conditions and identify infections or crystals. Injections placed directly into the joint space are used therapeutically to treat pain and inflammation, or diagnostically to deliver substances for local effect. Procedures are typically performed under sterile technique, and imaging guidance (for example, ultrasound or fluoroscopy) is often employed to improve accuracy and safety.

Common intra-articular substances include corticosteroids for short- to medium-term anti-inflammatory effects, hyaluronic acid preparations for viscoelastic support in certain arthropathies, local anesthetics for immediate pain relief, and, in some settings, platelet-rich plasma or other biologics. The choice of substance depends on the joint involved, the underlying condition, and patient factors. Intra-articular injections are widely used for osteoarthritis and certain inflammatory joint diseases, and may be used in veterinary medicine as well.

Risks associated with intra-articular procedures include infection (septic arthritis), bleeding, post-injection flare, temporary pain, and, with repeated corticosteroid injections, possible cartilage or soft tissue effects. Proper indication, technique, and asepsis are essential to minimize complications. Intra-articular should not be confused with periarticular or intraosseous administration, which target tissues around a joint or within bone, respectively.