Corticosteroid Against Saline Injections for Thumb Osteoarthritis (CASITOA)
Key facts
- Where
- Montreal, CanadaSee the 2 sites
- Phase
- Phase 2
Where in Canada
- Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal - Chirurgie plastiqueMontreal, CanadaContact: Dr HarrisTaking people
- Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal - PhysiatryMontreal, CanadaContact: Dr LuongTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- Trial code
- NCT06401317
- Record updated
- 18 August 2026
- Original description
Thumb osteoarthritis or trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMO) is a common and painful form of hand arthritis that limits thumb mobility and hand function, affecting patients' quality of life. Although corticosteroids injections are a typical treatment, their effectiveness has been challenged, and side effects have been reported. Recent studies suggest that saline injections, usually considered inactive, might be a viable treatment option. The primary goal of this study is to compare the effectiveness of saline injections versus corticosteroids injections in reducing TMO-related pain and improving hand function. In this study, 40 people with TMO will be randomly assigned to receive either a corticosteroids or a saline injection, without them or the doctors performing the injection knowing which one was administered (double blind). If saline injections prove more effective, they could provide a less harmful and cheaper therapeutic alternative for TMO patients.Read full original descriptionShow less
Comparison of the Efficacy of Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Injections Versus Saline Solution for Thumb Osteoarthritis: Double-Blind Pragmatic Randomized Pilot Study
Thumb osteoarthritis or trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMO) is a common and painful form of hand arthritis that limits thumb mobility and hand function, affecting patients' quality of life. Although corticosteroids injections are a typical treatment, their effectiveness has been challenged, and side effects have been reported. Recent studies suggest that saline injections, usually considered inactive, might be a viable treatment option. The primary goal of this study is to compare the effectiveness of saline injections versus corticosteroids injections in reducing TMO-related pain and improving hand function. In this study, 40 people with TMO will be randomly assigned to receive either a corticosteroids or a saline injection, without them or the doctors performing the injection knowing which one was administered (double blind). If saline injections prove more effective, they could provide a less harmful and cheaper therapeutic alternative for TMO patients.
Inclusion: aged ≥18 years; diagnosis of TMO was confirmed by X-ray interpreted by a radiologist; suffering from pain at the base of the thumb; the attending physician deems that an intra-articular corticosteroid injection would be beneficial, rather than opting for other types of intervention such as surgery; can read, understand and answer in either French or English.
Exclusion: having received one or more corticosteroid injections in the last 3 months or surgery on the affected thumb; known allergies to any components of the solutions (triamcinolone acetonide, benzyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, hydrochloric acid, polysorbate, sodium chloride, or sodium hydroxide) or to iodinated contrast media; suffering from painful thumb caused by a trauma (e.g., fracture, sprain), rheumatoid arthritis, or De Quervain's tendonitis; and; being pregnant or breastfeeding; and.