Effectiveness of intra-articular hyaluronic acid compared to corticosteroid to treat basal thumb joint arthritis: A prospective, randomised, blinded clinical pilot study

Osteoarthritis of the base of the thumb is a debilitating condition affecting 7% of males and 15% of females over 30 years old. Intra-articular injections are an accessible therapeutic management to alleviate pain and improve functionality. Corticosteroid injection is the gold standard; however, recent developments have positioned hyaluronic acid as potentially superior. Here, we conducted a double-blinded, randomised clinical trial comparing these two agents for base-of-thumb osteoarthritis, with preliminary data indicating corticosteroids are superior for improved functionality, but hyaluronic acid confers longer pain management. This clinical trial seeks to inform which intra-articular injection is best for the clinical management of base of thumb osteoarthritis.