Corticosteroid Against Saline Injections for Thumb Osteoarthritis (CASITOA)
Comparison of the Efficacy of Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Injections Versus Saline Solution for Thumb Osteoarthritis: Double-Blind Pragmatic Randomized Pilot Study
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
40 participants
Nov 4, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Thumb osteoarthritis or trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMO) is a common and painful form of hand arthritis that limits thumb mobility and hand function, affecting patients' quality of life. Although corticosteroids injections are a typical treatment, their effectiveness has been challenged, and side effects have been reported. Recent studies suggest that saline injections, usually considered inactive, might be a viable treatment option. The primary goal of this study is to compare the effectiveness of saline injections versus corticosteroids injections in reducing TMO-related pain and improving hand function. In this study, 40 people with TMO will be randomly assigned to receive either a corticosteroids or a saline injection, without them or the doctors performing the injection knowing which one was administered (double blind). If saline injections prove more effective, they could provide a less harmful and cheaper therapeutic alternative for TMO patients.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria5
- aged ≥18 years;
- diagnosis of TMO was confirmed by X-ray interpreted by a radiologist;
- suffering from pain at the base of the thumb;
- the attending physician deems that an intra-articular corticosteroid injection would be beneficial, rather than opting for other types of intervention such as surgery
- can read, understand and answer in either French or English.
Exclusion Criteria4
- having received one or more corticosteroid injections in the last 12 months or surgery on the affected thumb;
- suffering from painful thumb caused by a trauma (e.g., fracture, sprain), rheumatoid arthritis, or De Quervain's tendonitis; and
- being pregnant or breastfeeding; and
- known allergies to any components of the solutions (triamcinolone acetonide, benzyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, hydrochloric acid, polysorbate, sodium chloride, or sodium hydroxide) or to iodinated contrast media.
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Interventions
Ultrasound/fluoroscopy-guided intra-articular injection of 0.25ml of 0.9% saline solution.
Ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection 0.25ml (10 mg) of triamcinolone.
Locations(2)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT06401317