PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Raman Joshi
TI  - Intraarticular corticosteroid injection for first carpometacarpal osteoarthritis.
DP  - 2005 Jul 01
TA  - The Journal of Rheumatology
PG  - 1305--1306
VI  - 32
IP  - 7
4099  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/32/7/1305.short
4100  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/32/7/1305.full
SO  - J Rheumatol2005 Jul 01; 32
AB  - 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.