Approximately one in four Oklahomans are affected by arthritis, a diagnosis that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis and is caused by the breakdown of cartilage and other tissue surrounding the joint. OA affects joints like the hands, hips or knees, and can be triggered by factors such as aging, joint injury and even genetics.
Managing this chronic condition is crucial to maintaining mobility and comfort, as the pain associated with OA can be debilitating for patients. A recent survey focused on knee OA patients found that the ability to climb stairs, exercise, and overall health and wellness were all among the top aspects of daily life that are negatively impacted by knee OA pain. Patients often struggle beyond the physical symptoms as well. In Oklahoma, for example, 49% of arthritis patients report work limitations due to ongoing pain. Patients also shared they’ve missed out on social events due to knee OA pain or that their sleep or mental health has been affected by their symptoms.
Those looking to address their pain may turn to traditional treatment methods such as over-the-counter (OTC) medications, icing, and conventional short-acting steroid injections. While these options can provide temporary relief, they often fall short of offering patients a long-term solution. In fact, despite 100% of knee OA respondents reporting that they’ve tried some form of treatment, 97% said their daily lives were still negatively impacted by the condition. This gap in effective treatment highlights the need for effective treatment options that provide patients with sustained relief, helping them to get back to the daily routines and activities they enjoy with less joint pain.
One treatment option I use in my practice to address the need for long-term relief is ZILRETTA® (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension). This single injection and extended-release pain management option is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for knee OA that uses extended-release microsphere technology. It works by slowly releasing the steroid over time so that the patient’s pain is continuously managed after a single injection.
A recent study found that 70% of people had mild to no knee OA pain for three months after a ZILRETTA treatment. Additionally, patients often experience relief after just four days. This approach is designed to help patients manage knee OA pain effectively without the need for frequent interventions, which has been the most appealing benefit to my patients. ZILRETTA also provides a non-opioid option for managing knee OA pain, which is important considering that patients may have concerns about these types of medications.
For many people, knee OA pain can significantly disrupt daily life, but they deserve options that can provide effective relief. By providing sustained pain management, ZILRETTA can help patients engage in daily activities with greater ease. If you or a loved one are struggling with knee OA pain, ask your healthcare provider about ZILRETTA to explore if it could be the right pain management option for you.
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*Mandy Stevens is a consultant of Pacira BioSciences, Inc. This is based on her experiences. Individual patient experiences may vary.
Indication
ZILRETTA® (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension) is an extended-release corticosteroid approved to manage osteoarthritis knee pain. The benefits and risks of repeat injections have not been demonstrated.
You should not receive a ZILRETTA injection if you are allergic to corticosteroids, triamcinolone acetonide, or any other component of the product.
Important Safety Information
Possible side effects:
- Rare serious allergic reactions
- Effects in the injected knee such as infection (with pain, swelling and restricted motion) or joint damage
- Increased chance of getting an infection, and a decreased ability to fight an infection
- Effects on hormone production. These effects can be reversible
- Elevated blood pressure, sodium and water retention, and potassium loss
- Intestinal perforation if you have certain gastrointestinal disorders
- Weakening of bones
- Changes in behavior or mood disturbances
- Increased pressure inside the eye
In multiple clinical trials, the most common side effects seen in people taking ZILRETTA were joint pain, headache, joint swelling, back pain, sore throat and runny nose, upper respiratory tract infection and bruising.
Tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking (including both prescription and over-the-counter medicines) and about any medical conditions, especially if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, ulcers, diverticulitis or other gastrointestinal disorders, kidney problems, diabetes, glaucoma, behavior or mood disorders, and/or infections.
Contact your doctor if you develop a fever or other signs of infection, have an increase in pain along with swelling of the injected knee, restriction of joint motion, or a general feeling of discomfort. Contact your doctor immediately if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles, or for any new or worsening changes in behavior or mood.
These are not all of the possible side effects with ZILRETTA or corticosteroid medications. Please see the full Prescribing Information at For more information, please visit Always contact your doctor if you have questions or experience any side effects.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-844-353-9466 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
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