Trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis: a prospective trial on two widespread conservative therapies

The trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint osteoarthritis (OA) is at the origin of important secondary functional disability to pinch as well as a painful grip. Several conservative therapies are often considered in the early stages of TMC OA to decrease pain, recover function and slow the evolution of OA. They include massage therapy, heat applications, stretching of the first web span and assisted mobilization of the TMC joint. However, as with other arthritic joints, many physicians often suggest administering intra-articular corticosteroids. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 10 sessions of physiotherapy versus a single corticoid intra-articular injection. Both treatments were associated with TMC splinting.

Two groups of twenty-five patients received either physiotherapy or a corticoid injection. They were followed over a one-year period. All of them were assessed for pain, function, strength at 2, 6 and 12 months and overall satisfaction at the end of the study.

With the infiltrative therapy, the parameters improve more quickly, whereas patients treated with physiotherapy show longer persistence regarding remission of pain. The final functional evaluation scores at one year are similar to pretreatment scores.

In early stages of TMC OA, corticosteroids articular injections and physiotherapy treatments can improve the painful symptoms but treatment with corticosteroids is faster. Although hand functions return to average scores similar to those of pre-treatment, physiotherapy program is associated with a longer remission of pain.