Needle precision: ultrasound-guided shot eases stubborn knee pain
NCT ID NCT04943341
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tested an ultrasound-guided injection of triamcinolone (a steroid) mixed with lidocaine (a numbing agent) directly into the knee's medial plica fold. The goal was to see if this targeted approach could reduce pain and improve function in 30 people with medial plica syndrome who hadn't improved with standard treatments. Researchers tracked outcomes using pain scales and knee function scores, along with safety monitoring.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Triamcinolone Acetonide (Kenacort) with Lidocaine
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a targeted, non-surgical option for persistent knee pain from medial plica syndrome.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study with only 30 people, so results may not apply widely. The injection is a steroid, which can have side effects like tissue damage or infection, though rare.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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30 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2021
- Finished
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Sep 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 50 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Ultrasonographic and/or MRI signs of medial plica pathology; 2. VAS pain 4-8 at time of inclusion; 3. Failure, defined as the persistence of symptomatology, after at least one course of conservative treatment of at least 6 weeks (rest and drug treatment, physiotherapy); 4. Ability and consent of patients to actively participate in clinical follow-up; Exclusion Criteria: 1. BMI \> 35; 2. Patients with: rheumatic diseases, diabetes, infectious processes, epilepsy, severe stage osteoporosis 3. Patients undergoing intra-tendon infiltration of other substance within the previous 6 months; 4. Patients undergoing surgery on the affected knee within the previous 12 months; 5. Patients undergoing femoro- patellar joint stabilization surgery to the affected knee; 6. Trauma to the affected knee within the past 6 months; 7. Episodes of patellar dislocation and subluxation to the affected knee; 8. State of immunodepression; 9. Ongoing systemic inflammatory diseases (stabilized outcomes of these diseases are not considered absolute contraindications). 10. Contraindications to use or hypersensitivity to the active ingredient (Triamcinolone Acetonide) or to the excipients (sodium chloride, benzyl alcohol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polysorbate 80 and water for injectable preparations)found within Kenacort as per the product package insert; 12\. Contraindications or hypersensitivity to the active ingredient of the local anesthetic (Lidocaine) or their excipients; 13. Pregnancy or lactation status or intention to become pregnant during the period of study participation. In particular, in the case of a suspected pregnancy , this will be excluded by serological testing (hCG).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli
Bologna, 40136, Italy