Intra-articular therapy in athletes: recommendations from the International Consensus promoted by the FMSI (Federazione Medico Sportiva Italiana)

Boni G., Giannini S., Magliulo G., Frizziero A., Alvarez G., Balint L., ...More

MEDICINA DELLO SPORT, vol.78, no.1, pp.48-60, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 78 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Journal Name: MEDICINA DELLO SPORT
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.48-60
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Intra-articular therapy is commonly used in athletes. The Italian Sports Medicine Federation (FMSI) called a Consensus to shed light on the indications and procedures of intra-articular therapy in athletes and subjects engaging in professional or sport at non-agonistic level. Eighteen IA therapy experts from the FMSI representing multiple disciplines made up the Consensus Board. Through two meetings and two Delphi rounds, and after a systematic literature search, the consensus pinpointed open questions and respective recommendations. Only those recommendations that achieved an agreement of more than 66% were accepted. The systematic literature search produced 12 articles. The consensus processed 31 questions and their answers. Only the 29 recommendations that reached agreement of more than 66% were included in the recommendations; the remaining four were not accepted. The intensity of the recommendation was broad (range between 7.93-9.93). A research agenda of outstanding questions was also drawn up.