True or False: Systemic corticosteroids are a standard treatment for osteoarthritis.

True or False: Systemic corticosteroids are a standard treatment for osteoarthritis.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not recommended
• D. Not applicable

Answer: (B)

Systemic corticosteroids are not a standard treatment for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is mainly a degenerative joint condition where the goal is to relieve pain and improve function with NSAIDs or acetaminophen (and non-pharmacologic measures), rather than dampening a systemic inflammatory process. Systemic steroids carry risks with long-term use—osteoporosis, hyperglycemia, hypertension, weight gain, increased infection risk—and they don’t modify the underlying degenerative changes of OA. In contrast, if steroids are used for osteoarthritis, they are typically given as injections directly into the affected joint to provide local anti-inflammatory relief with fewer systemic effects. So the statement is false because systemic corticosteroids are not considered a standard, routine treatment for OA.

Systemic corticosteroids are not a standard treatment for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is mainly a degenerative joint condition where the goal is to relieve pain and improve function with NSAIDs or acetaminophen (and non-pharmacologic measures), rather than dampening a systemic inflammatory process. Systemic steroids carry risks with long-term use—osteoporosis, hyperglycemia, hypertension, weight gain, increased infection risk—and they don’t modify the underlying degenerative changes of OA. In contrast, if steroids are used for osteoarthritis, they are typically given as injections directly into the affected joint to provide local anti-inflammatory relief with fewer systemic effects. So the statement is false because systemic corticosteroids are not considered a standard, routine treatment for OA.