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The benefit of radiologically-guided steroid injections for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis
M G Swindells1, A J Logan, D J Armstrong
1The Pulvertaft Hand Centre, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby DE22 3NE, UK. mgswindells@doctors.org.uk
Introduction:
Osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint (TMJ) is a common condition causing significant disability. Conservative treatments include intra-articular steroid injections.
Patients And Methods:
This clinical, observational study prospectively reviewed the longevity of benefit of steroid injections into the TMJ. Eighty-three patients were recruited with a median age of 62 years and injected with steroid and local anaesthetic under radioscopic guidance. They were followed up until the analgesic effects ceased with a questionnaire including visual analogue scores.
Results:
Two-thirds of patients were improved at 2 months, with nearly half having a 3-month improvement. One in six patients had a 6-month benefit, with some patients still improved 2 years after injection. Previously injected patients had a reduced duration of benefit compared to their previous injection. Severity of osteoarthritis did not affect the injection efficacy.
Conclusions:
Based on this study, we recommend steroid injections in all degrees of TMJ osteoarthritis.
