Intra-articular dosing & synovial collection

Intra-articular dosing/synovial collection is an injection directly administered into a joint space either for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Intra-articular glucocorticoid injections are frequently used to reduce pain and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis. However, dosing techniques for various joints are still debated. 

Synovial fluid is usually aspirated to increase accuracy of injection placement. It has been argued that there should be synovial fluid left in the joint, to allow diffusion of glucocorticoid around the cavity. Synovial fluid collection can support diagnosis of joint pain as elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines can be detected. Numerous ways to overcome therapeutic drug clearance from the highly efficient lymphatic system of the synovial fluid have been studied.