Intraarticular corticosteroid injection for first carpometacarpal osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of intraarticular corticosteroid injections for osteoarthritis (OA) of the first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint.


METHODS
This was a prospective case series of patients presenting to a community rheumatology clinic with OA of the 1st CMC joint. A total of 0.25 ml of methylprednisolone acetate was injected into the 1st CMC joint in 25 patients, who were followed for one year.


RESULTS
A significant improvement in the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain was noted at one month but not at 3, 6, or 12 months postinjection. However, 5 patients were pain-free at 12 months postinjection. Many patients noted improvement in tasks such as lifting a full cup and turning a faucet. Injections were well tolerated, with only 2 patients noting minor side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that intraarticular corticosteroid injection for 1st CMC OA is a well tolerated procedure. A significant longterm benefit of corticosteroid injection for 1st CMC OA was not observed.
Department of Rheumatology, Brampton Campus, William Osler Health Sciences Centre, Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Raman
R
Joshi
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000473:pathology; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D008775:Methylprednisolone