Hydrocortisone is commonly injected into the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) for osteoarthritis management due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties. It helps reduce joint inflammation, pain, and swelling effectively by suppressing the local immune response. This leads to improved joint function and symptom relief. Unlike local anesthetics like lidocaine or bupivacaine, hydrocortisone addresses the underlying inflammatory process rather than just providing temporary pain relief. Adrenaline is not used in TMJ injections as it can cause vasoconstriction, which is not beneficial in this context. Therefore, hydrocortisone is the preferred agent for long-term symptom management in TMJ osteoarthritis.

Reference: Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Neville et al., 4th Edition.