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.

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.