Primary Treatment

• The primary treatment for osteoarthritis pain is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen. The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme inhibitor celecoxib (Celebrex) is another option.
  
  

Prednisone Benefits

• Corticosteroids such as prednisone are very effective at rapidly reducing pain and inflammation. Because of their anti-inflammatory qualities, corticosteroids are prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis more often than for osteoarthritis.
  
  

Prednisone Use

• Prednisone can be taken orally, but in osteoarthritis cases it is more commonly injected directly into the affected joints. Injections usually are administered for as short a time frame as appropriate, or spaced months apart.
  
  

Risks

• When prednisone is used for over six months, the drug is associated with loss of bone density (osteoporosis). If a bone scan indicates osteoporosis, the patient may be able to continue prednisone therapy by taking etidronate and calcium supplements to prevent further bone loss.
  
  

Common Side Effects

• Other common prednisone side effects with long-term use include acne, weight gain, fatty deposits in the face, thinning skin and stretch marks.