methotrexate injection in knee.

Posted , 6 users are following.

hello, has anyone had methotrexate injection directly into the joint? I'm starting next week in my knee 10mg per week for 6 week.  no meds have helped after 3 years. my synovial membrane is 8mm thick on knee so this is there next treatment. still taking lefluomide which seems to do nothing. 

I have had about 25 injection over 2 years either 80mg kenolog in knee or 120mg depomedrol intra muscular depending how bad knee is.

from what I have read a operation is needed but my specialist doesn't agree as he said it comes back. I'm treated on the NHS so I feel it may be a cost thing until everything has been given a go.

 has any one had the operation to remove the thickness of membrane? if so how did it go. 

after speaking to some people no one heard of methotrexate being given into the joint. 

any info would be great.  

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Ben,

    I searched for “intra-articular methotrexate” and quickly found study results that looked hopeful. I’m no veteran here, and had not heard of it, but personally I’d be willing to give a drug treatment a shot before turning to surgery. Good luck!

  • Posted

    Like Blair I didn't find it difficult to find studies.  This is the abstract for a recent one

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28963634

    where they found "there is an improvement compared to the baseline of treatment".

    and this is an older one

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15948014

    where they found "Ultrasonographic evaluation showed significant reduction of synovial thickness and joint effusion. No differences were detected for the presence of Baker's cyst. We may conclude that repeated intra-articular injections of MTX resulted in a decrease of local as well as systemic inflammatory signs."

    So - worth a try. Surgery isn't always the best option - and mostly it should be the last result.

  • Posted

      It definitely is worth a try.  I also did research findings and it sounds promising so your doctor is aware of the latest studies.    Good luck.    

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