Comparing Ultrasound-Guided Betamethasone and Dextrose Injections for Trigger Finger Treatment in Adults

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided betamethasone and dextrose injections in adults with trigger finger, a condition causing pain, clicking, and locking of the finger due to tendon entrapment. While corticosteroid injections like betamethasone are commonly used first-line treatments, they can have side effects. Dextrose injections are being studied as a possible alternative that may help tissue healing, but evidence for their effectiveness in trigger finger is limited. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of two ultrasound-guided injections at the A1 pulley either 1 ml lidocaine with 1 ml betamethasone or 1 ml lidocaine with 1 ml 30% dextrose solution diluted to 15% dextrose. All injections are performed under sterile conditions. The study uses a triple-blind design where the injector, participant, and assessor are unaware of the treatment given. Participants will be assessed at baseline, 1 hour, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after injection. Researchers will measure pain intensity using the Numeric Rating Scale as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include severity of triggering, hand function, grip and pinch strength, and fine motor skills. These evaluations aim to determine whether dextrose injections can serve as a safe and effective alternative to corticosteroids for treating trigger finger.

Betamethasone vs Dextrose Injections in Trigger Finger