Corticosteroid Against Saline Injections for Thumb Osteoarthritis (CASITOA)

What this study is about

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.

Who can join (things the study team will check)

✅ You may be able to join if…

• 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.

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• 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.

Where this trial is running

• Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal - Physiatry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal - Chirurgie plastique, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Who to contact

Tokiko Hamasaki, PhD · 819-478-5011 · tokiko.hamasaki@uqtr.ca

It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT06401317.