Low-dose radiotherapy versus corticosteroid injection for hand and wrist osteoarthritis

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional, phase 4 trial at Mayo Clinic in Rochester compares two active treatments for hand/wrist osteoarthritis: low-dose radiotherapy and corticosteroid joint injection. Eligible participants are adults 50 years or older with radiographic osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2–4) and at least moderate hand pain (VAS ≥40). Participants receive one of the two treatments and complete standardized pain and function questionnaires during follow-up visits. The trial excludes patients with inflammatory arthritis, recent hand surgery or injections, opioid or recent steroid use, and other confounding hand conditions.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
* Age 50 years or older
* Mild, moderate, or severe hand OA (Kellgren and Lawrence classification grade 2, 3, or 4) on hand radiographs within the last 24 months
* Hand OA pain with a minimum VAS score relating to hand pain of ≥40 (on a 100-point scale) when using the affected hand
* Ability to complete study questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of previous surgery to the affected hand(s)
* Autoimmune joint disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis
* Active confounding hand condition such as stenosing tenosynovitis or Dupuytren's contracture
* Recent injury (within last 1 month) to the affected hand causing current pain
* History of crystalline arthritis (gout or pseudogout) flare in the affected hand(s)
* Active use of opioid pain medication(s) or oral steroids within the last 3 months
* Fibromyalgia or central sensitization syndrome
* Hand CSI or other hand injection within the past 3 months
* History of hand LDRT within the past 3 months
* Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c \> 10%)
* Active infection
* Current pregnancy

Where it's running

• Mayo Clinic in Rochester
  Rochester, Minnesota, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Terin Sytsma, MD — Mayo Clinic
• Study coordinator: Tochukwu Iyke-Nzeocha
• Email: Iyke-Nzeocha.Tochukwu@mayo.edu
• Phone: (507) 422-3201

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.