Comparison between local injections of silicone oil and hydrocortisone acetate in chronic arthritis.

One of three preparations-silicone oil, hydrocortisone acetate, and hydrocortisone acetate plus saline-was injected into 22 osteoarthritic and 49 rheumatoid knees. Silicone injected into stiff, dry, grating knees which were the site of chronic arthritis did not promote better movement than did hydrocortisone alone. Hydrocortisone plus saline, however, appeared to be more effective than silicone or hydrocortisone alone in increasing movement in rheumatoid knees. The maximum increase in movement was found to occur three weeks after each of the three different injection preparations.