Gradual withdrawal of systemic corticosteroids should be considered in those whose disease is unlikely to relapse and have:

received more than 40 mg prednisone (or equivalent) daily for more than 1 week
been given repeat doses in the evening
received more than 3 weeks of treatment
recently received repeated courses (particularly if taken for longer than 3 weeks)
taken a short course within 1 year of stopping long-term therapy
other possible causes of adrenal suppressionSystemic corticosteroids may be stopped abruptly in those whose disease is unlikely to relapse and who have received treatment for 3 weeks or less and who are not included in the patient groups described above. During corticosteroid withdrawal, the dose may be reduced rapidly down to physiological doses (equivalent to prednisolone 7.5 mg daily) and then reduced more slowly. Assessment of the disease may be needed during withdrawal to ensure that relapse does not occur. Pharmacology
Prednisone is a synthetic glucocorticoid used for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Prednisone is a prodrug; it is metabolised in the liver by 11-β-HSD to prednisolone, the active drug. Prednisone has no substantial biological effects until converted via hepatic metabolism to prednisolone. Pharmacokinetics
Prednisone is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and has a half life of 2–3 hours. it has a volume of distribution of 0.4–1 L/kg. The drug is cleared by hepatic metabolism using cytochrome P450 enzymes. Metabolites are excreted in the bile and urine. Lodotra
"Lodotra" is the brand name of an oral formulation, which releases prednisone four hours after ingestion. It is indicated for rheumatoid arthritis with morning stiffness.
Villonodular synovitis is a type of synovial swelling. Types include:

Pigmented villonodular synovitis
Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheathThough they have very different names, they have the same histology, and stain positive for CD68, HAM56, and vimentin. They are sometimes discussed together. == References ==