In a non-inferiority, randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial, a 10 mg Triamcinolone acetonide intra-articular injection was non-inferior to a 40 mg Triamcinolone acetonide injection in terms of pain alleviation in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Both 10 and 40 mg of Triamcinolone acetonide proved beneficial to reduce pain and improve the quality of life.

For the management of pain in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, Komchan Utamawatin et al. compared the non-inferiority of 10-mg and 40-mg Triamcinolone acetonide. Overall, 84 volunteers were incorporated. Triamcinolone acetonide injections of either 10 mg or 40 mg were given randomly to the patients with afflicted knees. The major endpoint was the 12-week alteration in pain visual analogue scale (VAS) from baseline, with a previously stated lower margin for non-inferiority of 10 mm.

Chair standing test, 20-m walking time, Knee Injuries and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire, EuroQol Group 5 Dimensions (EQ5D), modified Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and VAS at baseline, week 4, and week 12 following randomization were the measuring tools utilized. Recording of adverse events was done.

The two groups had comparable baseline characteristics. With a p-value of 0.002 for non-inferiority, the mean differences in pain VAS between the two groups at baseline and week 12 were 0.8. In the 10-mg and 40-mg groups, there were no differences in the improvement of quality of life or pain reduction. Between baseline and week 12, the mean differences in KOOS quality of life, EQ5D, KOOS pain, and WOMAC were 1.8, 1.3, -8.7, and 0.4 respectively.

At baseline and week 12, both groups' pain and quality of life remarkably improved. Both 10 mg and 40 mg of Triamcinolone acetonide considerably improved pain and quality of life. Compared to 40 mg, the 10 mg of Triamcinolone acetonide injection could be a safer choice to relieve osteoarthritis of the knee.