Steroid Injections for Osteoarthritis

This trial investigates whether a special timed-release steroid injection can reduce pain and improve thumb function in individuals with osteoarthritis in the thumb joint. The main treatment tested is Triamcinolone Acetonide Extended Release Injection, compared to a placebo (a harmless shot with no active medicine). Suitable candidates have a confirmed case of thumb osteoarthritis and frequently experience significant thumb pain. Participants will receive an injection and attend follow-up visits to assess effectiveness. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the treatment's efficacy in an initial, smaller group, allowing participants to contribute to important findings.

You will need to stop taking opioid or over-the-counter pain medications during the study. This will be monitored and recorded in a log.

Research has shown that triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injections are generally safe. In studies on osteoarthritis, most participants tolerated the injections well, with safety consistent across both older and younger patients.

This treatment releases the steroid slowly, resulting in lower levels of the drug entering the bloodstream at once, which can reduce the risk of side effects. Some participants experienced minor side effects, such as soreness at the injection site, but these were usually mild.

Most treatments for osteoarthritis, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and standard corticosteroid injections, provide temporary relief by reducing inflammation. However, Triamcinolone Acetonide Extended Release Injection is unique because it offers an extended release formulation. This means it can provide longer-lasting pain relief compared to traditional steroid injections, potentially reducing the need for frequent treatments. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it targets inflammation over a more extended period, which could improve patient comfort and compliance with fewer injections.

Research has shown that triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injections, which participants in this trial may receive, can effectively reduce pain. In other studies, patients with osteoarthritis who received these injections in their joints experienced pain relief for 5–6 months. This treatment often provides quick pain relief, starting in just four days. Additionally, it can improve physical abilities, such as standing up from a chair, for up to 12 weeks after the injection. These findings suggest that this injection might help reduce thumb pain and improve function for those with thumb joint osteoarthritis.⁵⁶⁷⁸⁹