| abstract |
Provided herein are devices and methods for treating inflammation and pain of articular joints (e.g., the knee). An implantable device includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a flange disposed at the proximal end, a bore extending from an opening at the proximal end into the elongate body, one or more fixation members disposed on an outer surface of the elongate body, and a payload (e.g., a drug-polymer core) having a therapeutic agent disposed within the bore. The payload has a substantially constant surface area on an exposed portion throughout elution of the therapeutic agent after the implantable device is implanted in a body. The therapeutic agent is configured to elute using zero-order kinetics, constantly and continuously at an amount that is above a predetermined lower threshold and does not exceed a predetermined upper threshold unlike a pulse-dose injection. |