Comparing surgical and non-surgical treatments for finger osteoarthritis

Denervation for Osteoarthritis in the PIP-joint Efficacy Study (DOPS), a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional Karolinska Institutet · NCT05980793

This study is testing whether surgery or non-surgical treatments like education and exercise work better for people with osteoarthritis in their finger joints.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorKarolinska Institutet Academic / other
Locations1 site (Stockholm)
Trial IDNCT05980793 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical denervation versus non-surgical treatment, which includes patient education and exercise, in patients suffering from osteoarthritis in the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups, and their pain levels, functional outcomes, grip strength, and range of motion will be assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention. The study seeks to determine if surgical intervention provides greater benefits compared to non-surgical methods. The primary endpoint will be evaluated 12 months after the intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with chronic symptomatic osteoarthritis in the PIP joint and radiological evidence of the condition.

Not a fit: Patients with inflammatory arthritis, ongoing infections in the hand, or those who have received certain injections in the affected joint within the last three months may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide patients with more effective treatment options for managing pain and improving function in finger osteoarthritis.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with surgical interventions for osteoarthritis, but this specific comparison of surgical versus non-surgical treatment for PIP joint osteoarthritis is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years.
* Chronic symptomatic osteoarthritis in the PIP-joint.
* Radiological signs of osteoarthritis on posteroanterior and lateral radiographs assessed by the Kellgren-Lawrence classification (grade II-IV) (Kellgren \& Lawrence, 1957).
* Clinical signs of PIP-joint arthritis.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inflammatory arthritis.
* Ongoing infection in the hand.
* Inability to co-operate with the follow-up protocol.
* Intra-articular glucocorticoid, PRP or Hyaluronic acid injections in the affected joint less than 3 months prior to enrollment.

Where this trial is running

Stockholm

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 Osteoarthritis FingerSurgery
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.