Nerve Block of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joints PIPs in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Patients: a Prospective Pilot Study

Nerve Block of the Proximal Interphalyngeal Joints PIPs in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Patients: a Prospective Pilot Study

Researchers will include 83 rheumatoid arthritis patients (either early or established) diagnosed after 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria with bilateral hand arthritis aged 18 or above. Nerve block to the neural bundle of the 2nd and 3rd PIPs will be done to one hand (the dominant in half of the participants and the non-dominant in the remaining). The other hand will be used as a control and injected subcutaneously with saline. Half ml of Bupivacaine will be injected through a 27G needle at the level of the volar proximal digital crease of the 2nd and 3rd PIP. The needle will be directed alternatively toward the two pedicles on both sides.

PIPs of the 2nd and 3rd fingers in both hands will be examined EULAR-OMERACT scoring system at 0, 2 weeks, and 2 months intervals. Visual analog scale (VAS) for each hand will be used at the same intervals. There are no certain conditions for medications and all the patients were using sDMARDS.

PIPs of the 2nd and 3rd fingers at the control group will be injected with .5 mL of saline on each joint through a 27G needle.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Rheumatoid arthritis patient according to ACR/EULAR criteria
• age >18
• bilateral hand affection

Exclusion Criteria:

• peripheral neuropathy
• other chronic arthritis
• patient who did mastectomy or any other hand operation