Effectiveness of Ultrasound-guided versus Landmark-based Glucocorticoid Injection in the Treatment of First Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating degenerative disease more pronounced in elderly affecting many joints. The first carpometacarpal joint (CMC1) is commonly affected. Pain is the major complaint, which can impact patient's daily activities. Intra-articular glucocorticoid injection can be considered if conservative measures fail and ultrasound guided injection might be superior to the traditional anatomic landmark-guided technique. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided versus landmark-based approach to intra-articular CMC1 injection using the Australian Canadian osteoarthritis hand index (AUSCAN). Adult patients diagnosed with symptomatic CMC1 osteoarthritis who failed conservative measures were enrolled. In this prospective observational cohort study, utilizing a convenience sample, intra-articular corticosteroid injection was administered either by ultrasound-guided technique or landmark-based approach. Pain, stiffness and function in 10-points scale at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks were collected and analyzed using descriptive analysis. There were 33 patients enrolled. Mean age was 63 years, with females making up the majority of participants (n = 28, 84.8%). Mean duration of CMC1 pain was 10 months (SD=2.5) up to the point of receiving the injection. Ultrasound guided injection was performed in 60.6% (n=20), while 39.4% (n=13) had the landmark approach. Both groups achieved a statistically and clinically significant level of change in AUSCAN score at week 6 (P≤ 0.05) but with a recurrence of symptoms at week 12 (P ≤ 0.05). At both intervals the AUSCAN scores were better than baseline (P ≤ 0.05). There was no difference between the two groups regarding baseline pain VAS score (mean ultrasound group= 6.6 vs landmark group= 7.5; P = 0.18). No significant differences were identified between two groups in terms of changes from baseline to 6, 12 and between 6 to 12 weeks in pain, stiffness and hand function (P > 0.05). No difference was found between the ultrasound-guided and landmark-based approaches for CMC1 injection on pain score, stiffness, or function.