Introduction: Intra-articular steroid therapy is one of the most common clinical procedures performed by rheumatologists. There is wide variation in the postoperative instructions given to patients following such injections.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine what advice is given with regards to non-weight-bearing following steroid injections of the knee by rheumatologists, orthopaedic surgeons, and general practitioners (GPs).
Method: A questionnaire examining advice on non-weight-bearing following knee steroid injections was posted to 100 rheumatologists, 100 orthopaedic surgeons, and 50 GPs.
Results: A significant proportion of respondents advised patients to avoid weight bearing after injection (42.4%). Most of these advised patients to do so for one (16.3%) or two (25.1%) days. As compared to 57.1% of general practitioners and 2.8% of orthopaedic surgeons, 70.7% of rheumatologists advised patients to avoid weight bearing (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: A significant proportion of rheumatologists and general practitioners performing steroid injections of the knee advise patients not to weight-bear postinjection. Examination of the available literature fails to reveal strong evidence to support such a practice, which has potentially significant implications with regards to loss of working days, costs of mobility aids, and patient inconvenience.