Comparing NSAID and corticosteroid injections for thumb arthritis treatment

NSAID Injection Versus Corticosteroid Injection for Basilar Thumb Arthritis: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Phase 3 Interventional Mayo Clinic · NCT05992883

This study is testing whether a pain-relieving injection with ketorolac or a corticosteroid injection with triamcinolone works better for people with thumb arthritis who haven't found relief from other treatments.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment240 (estimated)
Ages40 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMayo Clinic Academic / other
Locations1 site (Rochester, Minnesota)
Trial IDNCT05992883 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of two types of intraarticular injections—ketorolac (an NSAID) and triamcinolone (a corticosteroid)—for treating moderate to advanced basilar thumb arthritis. The study focuses on patients who have not found relief from previous conservative treatments and have radiological evidence of arthritis. By evaluating the outcomes of these injections, the researchers hope to identify a more effective and safer treatment option for this common condition. The trial is being conducted at the Mayo Clinic, a leading medical institution known for its research in musculoskeletal disorders.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults over 40 years old with thumb pain resistant to conservative management and radiological evidence of arthritis.

Not a fit: Patients with known allergies to the treatment products or those with inflammatory arthritis may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide patients with a more effective and safer treatment option for managing thumb arthritis symptoms.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with intraarticular injections for arthritis in other joints, but this specific comparison of NSAID versus corticosteroid injections in the thumb is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults \>40 years of age
* Pain at the thumb base brought on by direct pressure (grind test) and with movement
* Pain resistant to previous conservative management (including over the counter medications (ibuprofen/acetaminophen), icing, splinting/braces, or topical analgesics)
* Radiological observation indicative of arthritis based on the Eaton-Littler classification system (stages 1 through 4)
* Patient understands the protocol and signed the informed consent
* Patient is covered by health insurance

Exclusion Criteria:

* • Known allergy to either of the treatment products
* Patient's analgesic treatment regimen or other modalities of managing symptoms/pain associated with their hand pathology was modified within four weeks before trial inclusion
* Symptomatic Scaphoid-trapezial arthritis present
* Localized or systemic infection
* Previous thumb surgery on study thumb
* Previous thumb injury on study thumb
* Patient with inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis)
* Severe and/or uncontrolled hypertension
* De Quervain tendinopathy present
* History of injection to the trapeziometacarpal joint on study thumb within the previous 6 weeks
* Uncontrolled diabetes
* Pregnant or lactating females. Female participants of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test before the injection. Women without childbearing potential (ie., surgically sterile with hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy and/or bilateral salpingectomy OR ≥ 12 months of amenorrhea and at least 50 years of age) are eligible to participate without completing a pregnancy test.
* Immunodeficient patients
* Patients that are currently using nicotine products, or who have quit in the last 12 months
* Patients under guardianship, curatorship, or are otherwise not self-sufficient
* Patients participating in another clinical research trial which interferes with this study protocol or outcomes
* Patients unable to follow the protocol in the investigators' judgement.

Where this trial is running

Rochester, Minnesota

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Thumb OsteoarthritisInjectionSteroidNSAIDThumb ArthritisCMC Arthritis
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.