Ubbergen

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness and safety of intramuscular methylprednisolone in patients with hand osteoarthritis. The main focus is to see how hand pain changes 4 weeks after the first injection, comparing 120mg methylprednisolone, 40mg methylprednisolone, and placebo during the first 16 weeks, which is the randomized controlled trial phase. This study targets adults aged 16 years and older who have specific types of hand osteoarthritis with pain and previous treatment failure. Participants will receive a single intramuscular injection of either 120mg methylprednisolone, 40mg methylprednisolone, or placebo at the start of the study. After the initial 16 weeks, an open-label phase lasting until week 48 allows participants to receive additional 120mg methylprednisolone injections on demand if their hand pain is above 30mm on a 0-100mm scale and at least 16 weeks have passed since their last injection. A maximum of two injections can be given during this open-label phase. Throughout the study, participants will visit the hospital for injections, ultrasound assessments, physical exams including joint assessments and grip strength tests, blood tests, and hand X-rays. Researchers will monitor hand pain using a visual scale from baseline to week 4 as the primary outcome. Safety and treatment effects will be followed up until week 48, when the study concludes with a final visit.