Prolotherapy Versus Steroids for Thumb Carpo-metacarpal Joint Arthritis
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2010-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Arthritis of the base of the thumb is a common debilitating problem. It is believed that
laxity (loosening) of the joint leads to worsening arthritis in this joint. This can be
treated by securing the joint surgically or symptoms can be treated with hand therapy and/or
injection of corticosteroids. Recently prolotherapy (sugar water) has been shown to decrease
looseness of joints and also be helpful for hand and knee arthritis. We hypothesize that
prolotherapy injections for thumb arthritis will be equally or more beneficial to the
patients than steroids.