A therapeutically effective compound is locally administered by associating the
compound with a piece of orthopedic hardware that is implanted at an appropriate
site within a body. The compound is adapted, such as through a sustained release
device, to administer an effective dosage continuously over an extended period
of time. The compound may be administered, for example, to a joint of a mammal
by intraarticularly implanting a sustained release device to deliver the therapeutically
effective compound within a synovial capsule of the joint, such that synovial fluid
concentration of the compound is greater than plasma concentration of the compound.
A wide range of orthopedic hardware, such as bone screws and staples, may be adapted
to use in the systems described herein to provide treatment for a variety of medical conditions.