intrartikulär

Intra-articular, also written intrartikulär in Swedish, refers to something located within a joint cavity. The term is used in anatomy and medicine to describe structures, procedures, or injections that occur inside the joint capsule, which contains synovial fluid and lines the joint with a synovial membrane.

In clinical practice, intra-articular procedures are common for diagnosis and treatment of joint disorders. Injections into the joint capsule can deliver medications such as corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, hyaluronic acid to improve lubrication in osteoarthritis, or other agents. Joint aspiration (arthrocentesis) may be performed to analyze synovial fluid or to facilitate subsequent injection.

Procedures are frequently guided by ultrasound or fluoroscopy to enhance accuracy, and are performed in several joints, including the knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, ankle, and temporomandibular joint. Indications include osteoarthritis pain that does not respond to conservative therapy, inflammatory or autoimmune arthritis, gout or pseudogout with effusion, post-traumatic synovitis, and adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).

Risks are generally low but can include infection (septic arthritis), bleeding, temporary pain flare, cartilage damage with repeated injections, fat pad irritation, and allergic reactions to the injected substance. Contraindications include active joint infection, skin infection near the injection site, uncorrected coagulopathy, and certain systemic infections. Repeated corticosteroid injections are often limited by guidelines due to potential joint or systemic effects.