Radiotherapy Compared to Corticosteroid Injection for Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis

Low-Dose Radiotherapy Compared to Corticosteroid Injection for Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis

The purpose of this research is to compare low-dose radiotherapy to corticosteroid injection for treatment of hand/wrist osteoarthritis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
• Age 50 years or older
• Mild, moderate, or severe hand OA (Kellgren and Lawrence classification grade 2, 3, or 4) on hand radiographs within the last 24 months
• Hand OA pain with a minimum VAS score relating to hand pain of ≥40 (on a 100-point scale) when using the affected hand
• Ability to complete study questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of previous surgery to the affected hand(s)
• Autoimmune joint disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis
• Active confounding hand condition such as stenosing tenosynovitis or Dupuytren's contracture
• Recent injury (within last 1 month) to the affected hand causing current pain
• History of crystalline arthritis (gout or pseudogout) flare in the affected hand(s)
• Active use of opioid pain medication(s) or oral steroids within the last 3 months
• Fibromyalgia or central sensitization syndrome
• Hand CSI or other hand injection within the past 3 months
• History of hand LDRT within the past 3 months
• Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c > 10%)
• Active infection
• Current pregnancy