In Vitro Effects of Triamcinolone and Methylprednisolone on the Viability and Mechanics of Native Articular Cartilage.

Exposure of MP to articular cartilage explants was chondrotoxic, and exposure of articular cartilage explants to MP or TA resulted in significant decreases in mechanical properties of articular cartilage explants compared with controls. Clinicians should be judicious regarding use of intra-articular steroids, particularly in patients with intact healthy articular cartilage.