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Intraarticular Corticosteroid Injection for First Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis
RAMAN JOSHI ABSTRACT. 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. Conclusion. 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. (J Rheumatol 2005;32:1305-6) Key Indexing Terms: OSTEOARTHRITIS From the Department of Rheumatology, Brampton Campus, William Osler Health Sciences Centre, Brampton, Ontario, Canada. R. Joshi, MD, FRCPC. Address reprint requests to Dr. R. Joshi, Suite 200, 145 Queen Street East, Brampton, ON L6W 3P8, Canada. Accepted for publication March 14, 2005. |