Platelet-Rich Plasma versus Corticosteroid Intra-Articular Injections for the Treatment of Trapeziometacarpal Arthritis: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Various systematic reviews have recently shown that intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (IA-PRP) can lead to symptomatic relief of knee osteoarthritis for up to 12 months. There exist limited data on its use in small joints, such as the trapeziometacarpal joint (TMJ) or carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) of the thumb. A prospective, randomized, blind, controlled, clinical trial of 33 patients with clinical and radiographic osteoarthritis of the TMJ (grades: I-III according to the Eaton and Littler classification) was conducted. Group A patients (16 patients) received 2 ultrasound-guided IA-PRP injections, while group B patients (17 patients) received 2 ultrasound-guided intra-articular methylprednisolone and lidocaine injections at a 2-week interval. Patients were evaluated prior to and at 3 and 12 months after the second injection using the visual analogue scale (VAS) 100/100, shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (Q-DASH), and patient's subjective satisfaction. No significant differences between the baseline clinical and demographic characteristics of the 2 groups were identified. After 12 months' follow-up, the IA-PRP treatment has yielded significantly better results in comparison with the corticosteroids, in terms of VAS score (P = 0.015), Q-DASH score (P = 0.025), and patients' satisfaction (P = 0.002). Corticosteroids offer short-term relief of symptoms, but IA-PRP might achieve a lasting effect of up to 12 months in the treatment of early to moderate symptomatic TMJ arthritis.

A Comparative Study for Different Types of Thumb Base Osteoarthritis Injections: A Randomized Controlled Interventional Study.

BACKGROUND: Base of the thumb osteoarthritis (OA) represents a challenge to clinicians due to limited efficient treatment options. Local injection treatment is a good choice for its low systemic side effects and rapid improvement. We conducted our study to compare the effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) versus hyaluronic acid injection (HA) versus corticosteroids in thumb carpometacarpal(CMC) joint osteoarthritis based on clinical and functional outcome measures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 45 patients with thumb CMC OA, assessed by palpation for joint tenderness grading, Provocative tests (Grind test and Lever test), VAS for pain, AUSCAN score for hand function, grip and pinch strength. Patients were randomly divided into three equal groups, Group 1 received an intra-articular PRP injection. Group 2 received an HA injection, and Group 3 a corticosteroid injection. Re-evaluation was done at 4 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: All groups showed a significant improvement after 4 weeks regarding VAS, tenderness grading, AUSCAN score, grip and pinch strength in comparison to before injection. However, these improvements were not sustained for the PRP and steroid groups after 12 weeks, when there was a deterioration in the AUSCAN score, highly statistically increase in VAS and decrease in grip & pinch strength, while the HA group showed a highly statistically significant improvement at 12 weeks on all items evaluated. CONCLUSION: 1. The 3 types of injection (PRP, HA, steroids) produced good results in thumb base OA with re-gard to improving pain and hand function, but only HA had a long-lasting effect and best results for pain and function. 2. The limitations in our study may be the follow-up period which needs to be longer to show how long the effect will last with HA.

Psychologic Factors Do Not Affect Placebo Responses After Upper Extremity Injections: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Studies on how psychologic factors influence the placebo effect have shown conflicting results in an experimental setting. Pessimists are more likely to experience a nocebo effect (feel worse after an inert intervention), whereas other studies suggest that patients with more symptoms of depression or anxiety or greater neuroticism have a greater response to a placebo. This is important because treatment benefits are potentiated by placebo effects, and optimal utilization of this phenomenon may improve clinical outcomes. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What psychologic factors are associated with a decrease in magnitude of limitations (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH] score) and pain intensity (visual analog scale [VAS] for pain) after placebo injections for the treatment of painful nontraumatic upper extremity conditions? (2) What psychologic factors are associated with achieving a minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in disability and pain intensity? METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of data acquired in two prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trials of patients with lateral elbow pain, trapeziometacarpal arthrosis, and de Quervain tendinopathy who received a single injection of dexamethasone and lidocaine or lidocaine alone (placebo). One hundred six patients were included between June 2003 and February 2008. Sixty-three patients (59%) received dexamethasone and lidocaine, and we analyzed the subset of 43 patients (41%) who received lidocaine alone. The primary outcomes of interest were the DASH questionnaire and the VAS for pain measured three times: when they received the injection, between 1 and 3 months after the injection, and between 5 and 8 months after the injection. Seven patients missed the first followup visit and 14 patients missed the second visit. Based on previous research, we chose a MCID threshold of 10 for the DASH and a threshold of 1.0 for the VAS score. In bivariate analysis, we accounted for sex, race, marital status, degree, education, work status, pretreatment pain, diagnosis, symptoms of depression (Center of Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale), coping strategies in response to nociception (Pain Catastrophizing Scale), and personality traits (measured with the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised score). Variables with p values < 0.10 in bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable regression models. An a priori power analysis showed that a sample of 43 participants provides 80% statistical power, with α set at 0.05, for a regression with five predictors if the depression score would account for 15% or more of the variability in pain score. We used multiple imputations (imputations = 50) for a total of 66 (8.5%) missing or incomplete questionnaires. RESULTS: In the final multivariable models, no psychologic factors were associated with a change in DASH score between injection and followup, and no factors were associated with greater decrease in pain intensity. After injection, no psychologic factors were independently associated with achieving a MCID in the DASH and VAS. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that patient factors are less important mediators of the placebo effect than clinician factors. In other words, clinician warmth and competence can help diminish symptoms and limitations of people in various states of mind, even when using inert or ineffective treatments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, therapeutic study.

Evaluation of expectations and expectation fulfillment in patients treated for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: To determine the main reasons why patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMC OA) seek treatment, their pretreatment expectations for the final outcome, fulfillment after one year, and predictors of fulfillment of the expectation. METHODS: We included 163 patients with TMC OA. They filled out questionnaires assessing expectations and functional status before and at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: Pain reduction was the most important reason why 65% of all patients sought treatment, whereas 17% and 13% requested treatment to improve hand function and activities of daily living, respectively. No patients considered improved appearance of the hand to be the main reason for undertaking treatment. Expectations before treatment were anticipated to be totally or mostly fulfilled by 93% of surgically treated patients and 59% of patients treated with corticosteroid injection. After one year, 77% of surgically treated patients rated their expectations as completely or mostly fulfilled, compared with 24% of patients treated with corticosteroid injections. Including all variables before treatment in a best-fit regression model, fulfillment of patients' expectations could not be sufficiently predicted. However, with addition to the model of the outcome of pain at one year, 48% of the variance of fulfilled expectations could be accounted for. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TMC OA predominantly visit hand surgeons seeking treatment to reduce pain, whereas function and aesthetics have minor roles. Based on variables before treatment, no prediction can be made regarding whether expectations will be fulfilled after treatment because residual pain at one year contributes considerably to the variance in fulfilled expectations. Clinicians should assess patients' expectations before treatment and explain realistic treatment outcomes to obtain best treatment results. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic II.

Determinants of patient satisfaction after surgery or corticosteroid injection for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis: results of a prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The evaluation of patient satisfaction is becoming increasingly important in assessing treatment outcomes. The objective of this study was to analyze the determinants of treatment satisfaction in patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMC OA) after surgery or corticosteroid injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study of patients with TMC OA who received surgery or corticosteroid injection was carried out. Socio-demographic and clinical data were recorded at baseline and 1 year after the intervention, and patients filled out the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). On a 5-point Likert scale, patients reported baseline expectations, expectation fulfillment at 1 year, as well as satisfaction with the treatment result. To identify determinants of satisfaction, we entered these variables into one ordered logistic regression model for surgical patients and another for patients with injection. RESULTS: We included 146 patients, 88 of whom were treated surgically. With respect to satisfaction at 1 year, 87 % of the surgical patients were somewhat or very satisfied with the treatment result, whereas only 49 % of the patients with injection were satisfied. Expectations being fulfilled was the only determinant of treatment satisfaction in the surgical group. In the injection group, a more advanced Eaton stage of TMC OA and greater pain at 1 year were associated with reduced satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for TMC OA leads to high patient satisfaction, whereas only half of the patients treated with corticosteroid injection were satisfied with the treatment result. An advanced stage of TMC OA and higher pain lead to reduced treatment satisfaction in the latter group, indicating that corticosteroid injection is only effective for patients in a lower stage of disease. As fulfillment of expectations was an important determinant of satisfaction in the surgical group, we emphasize the need to provide comprehensive information prior to surgery, so that the patient's expectations of treatment outcome are realistic.

Pharmacologic modulation of hand pain in osteoarthritis: a double-blind placebo-controlled functional magnetic resonance imaging study using naproxen.

OBJECTIVE: In an attempt to shed light on management of chronic pain conditions, there has long been a desire to complement behavioral measures of pain perception with measures of underlying brain mechanisms. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we undertook this study to investigate changes in brain activity following the administration of naproxen or placebo in patients with pain related to osteoarthritis (OA) of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. METHODS: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, 2-period crossover study was performed in 19 individuals with painful OA of the CMC joint of the right hand. Following placebo or naproxen treatment periods, a functionally relevant task was performed, and behavioral measures of the pain experience were collected in identical fMRI examinations. Voxelwise and a priori region of interest analyses were performed to detect between-period differences in brain activity. RESULTS: Significant reductions in brain activity following treatment with naproxen, compared to placebo, were observed in brain regions commonly associated with pain perception, including the bilateral primary somatosensory cortex, thalamus, and amygdala. Significant relationships between changes in perceived pain intensity and changes in brain activity were also observed in brain regions previously associated with pain intensity. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the sensitivity of fMRI to detect the mechanisms underlying treatments of known efficacy. The data illustrate the enticing potential of fMRI as an adjunct to self-report for detecting early signals of efficacy of novel therapies, both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic, in small numbers of individuals with persistent pain.

Osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint: correlation of ultrasound appearances to disability and treatment response.

AIM: To evaluate grading of thumb carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) osteoarthritis (OA) using ultrasound, correlating findings with disability and treatment response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with symptomatic thumb OA attending for ultrasound-guided CMCJ steroid injection and a group of asymptomatic controls were recruited prospectively. Thumb CMCJ ultrasound was graded (osteophytes, joint-space narrowing, capsule size, and measured capsule size), and a Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was completed for each patient. Symptomatic patients then underwent injection with DASH repeated 6 weeks post-treatment. Ultrasound features were correlated with the initial DASH disability score and response as defined by change in DASH 6 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients with symptomatic OA and 37 asymptomatic controls were recruited. With the exception of osteophytes (p = 0.017), no statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between severity of ultrasound features and patient disability. However, all features demonstrated statistically significant higher grades in the symptomatic group compared to controls. Ultrasound grading did not have statistical correlation with treatment response. CONCLUSION: No correlation was found between the majority of ultrasound features and the clinical severity of OA or likely response to treatment. However, these features are significantly more common in the symptomatic population.

Injectable hyaluronan for the treatment of carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: open label pilot trial.

OBJECTIVE: Carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC OA) is highly prevalent in older adults, and is often unresponsive to medical treatment. Intra-articular Hylan G-F 20 has been shown to improve pain and function in patients with knee OA; however, its effectiveness in CMC OA is less clear. METHODS: 32 patients with CMC OA were injected with Hylan G-F 20, once weekly for three consecutive weeks. Patients were assessed 4, 12, 20 and 26 weeks after the first injection. A last-value carried forward analysis was performed. RESULTS: Average age was 64 years, (range 46-79), 69% were female and 97% Caucasian. Fifty-three percent had at least one previous corticosteroid injection in the affected CMC joint. At 26 weeks, mean visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain had improved significantly (15.2 mm; p-value = 0.006). Disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (DASH) scores also improved significantly (12.6; p-value < 0.001). A DASH change of 10-14 is considered clinically meaningful. Neither key strength nor opposition grip strength improved. VAS scores for pain at 26 weeks showed good correlation with patient satisfaction (Spearman r = 0.52, p-value < 0.01). Adverse events potentially related to the injections included three episodes of post-injection pain and swelling, and one case of crystal proven pseudogout. CONCLUSION: Intra-articular Hylan G-F 20 injections reduced pain and improved function in patients with CMC OA at 26 weeks in this small open label study. Limitations of this study include its small, open label design. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results, and to determine predictors of response to treatment. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA and registered at (www.ClinicalTrials.Gov)# NCT00198029.

Ultrasound-guided hyaluronic acid injection in carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: short-term results.

Carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC-OA) is a disabling condition, characterized by pain and functional impairment. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of a single ultrasoundguided injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) in patients suffering from CMC-OA. Eighteen patients with CMC-OA, grade 2-3 Kellgren and Lawrence score, attending the Orthopaedic Department of the University Hospital of Chieti, were enrolled. They underwent clinical evaluation at baseline and after one month follow-up, evaluating: grading of pain (VAS at rest and during activities), function (Dreiser Index), grip and pinch strengths Jamar dynamometer), as well as NSAIDs consumption. Each patient received a single ultrasound- guided injection of HA into the articular CMC joint. The results were that pain at rest and during activities decreased from 1.8 +/= 1.07 to 0.5 +/= 0.68 (p < 0.001) and from 8.05 +/= 0.94 to 4.15 +/= 1.42 (p < 0.001), respectively. Dreiser Functional Index showed a significant improvement (+11.59 percent; p < 0.004), as well as pulp pinch strength (24.07 percent; p < 0.001). The consumption of NSAIDs was also clearly reduced, from 16 to 7 patients (-45 percent) and from 2.45 +/= 1.98 to 1.15 +/= 1.30 tablets per week (p < 0.02). Mild local side effects, lasting less than 3 hours, were observed only in 2 cases. A single ultrasound guided injection of HA is a safe and effective procedure in CMC-OA, with a significant improvement in terms of pain and function. However, studies with larger samples and longer term follow-up are warranted.

Injection of intra-articular sodium hyaluronidate (Sinovial) into the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb (CMC1) in osteoarthritis. A prospective evaluation of efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy on pain relief and function of one, two or three injections of intra-articular hyaluronic acid in symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb (CMCJ). METHODS: Among subjects with symptomatic OA of the CMCJ of the thumb referred to the Rheumatology Department of Nice, patients free of any joint injection in last 6months with pain visual analogue score (VAS) >40 and with Kellgren and Lawrence score between 2 and 4 were included. Each subject was randomly allocated to receive, at weekly intervals, 1 (group 1) or 2 (group 2) or 3 injections (group 3) of 1ml Sodium Hyaluronidate (Sinovial). Injections were given under imaging control. Sociodemographic characteristics, VAS and functionality (Dreiser Functional Index) were assessed at baseline, at one month and at three months. An intention to treat analysis was performed. RESULTS: Forty two subjects were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 64.8 (8.0) years, and 90.5% were women. Baseline pain VAS, and mean Dreiser functional index were respectively 57.7 (17.1) and 12.5 (5.8). A repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) model was used to compare the time-course profile of the three treatment groups for VAS and Dreiser index. Due to statistically significant groups-time interaction the analyses were conducted at each evaluation time. No difference was found for VAS at 1 month (p=0.075) and 3 months (p=0.382). Intra group differences between baseline and three months was significant in groups 2 and 3 (p=0.012 and p=0.002). CONCLUSION: No significant differences were found between each group over the study period for pain relief and function. But the intra groups analysis results show that intra-articular sodium hyaluronidate injections into the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb in osteoarthritis can be efficacious on pain and fuctionality. What is now needed is a controlled placebo randomised study with larger samples and longer term follow up of the achieved effects.