If your thumb hurts when you grip or pinch, you might have a condition called rhizarthrosis. That is a kind of arthritis that affects the joint at the base of your thumb. Many people with this condition receive injections to ease their pain. But what if combining two types of medicine works better than using just one?
Researchers in France studied this question. They wanted to see if using hyaluronic acid together with corticosteroids could reduce pain more than corticosteroids alone. The results offer hope for people looking for better ways to manage thumb pain.
Key Findings at a Glance
- Research shows that combining hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid injections reduces thumb pain during activity better than corticosteroids alone at three months.
- According to this study, patients who received the combination treatment had pain scores drop by an extra 1.1 points on a 0 to 10 scale compared to those receiving only corticosteroids.
- The study included 149 patients with an average age of 62 years, and 83% were women.
- Studies indicate that pain improvement was most noticeable at the three month mark after the injection.
- Grip strength and thumb opposition strength stayed the same in both groups throughout the study period.
In this article:
- What is rhizarthrosis and why does it hurt?
- What did this study show?
- How did the study work?
- What do the results mean for you?
- Frequently asked questions
- Conclusion
- Disclaimer
- Study citation
What is rhizarthrosis and why does it hurt?
Your thumb does a lot of work every day. You use it to grip, pinch, hold, and twist. When the joint at the base of your thumb becomes damaged, even simple tasks can hurt. Opening a jar, turning a key, or holding a pen may become difficult.
Many people with thumb arthritis look for treatments that ease their pain without surgery. That is where injections come in.
What did this study show?
Let us look closer. Researchers wanted to know if using two medicines together worked better than one medicine alone. The two medicines were hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids.
According to this study, patients who received both medicines together had less pain during activity at three months compared to those who got only corticosteroids. The difference was meaningful. Pain scores dropped by an extra 1.1 points on a scale that goes from 0 to 10.
Here is where it gets interesting. The benefit was strongest at the three month mark. At one month, there was also a significant difference. But at six months and twelve months, the difference between the two groups was smaller and not statistically significant.
How did the study work?
The study included 150 patients. Almost all of them, 149 people, received their injections. The average age was 62 years old. Most of the patients were women.
Researchers divided the patients into two groups randomly. One group received hyaluronic acid plus corticosteroid. The other group received a saltwater placebo plus corticosteroid. A placebo is a substance with no medicine in it. It helps researchers see if the real medicine is making a difference.
You may be wondering why this matters. Using a placebo helps make the study fair. Patients did not know which injection they received. This is called a single blind trial. It helps make sure that the results are reliable.
Doctors measured pain at different times. They checked pain levels at one month, three months, six months, and twelve months after the injection. Patients rated their pain on a scale from 0 to 10. Zero meant no pain. Ten meant the worst pain imaginable.
Researchers also measured grip strength and opposition strength. Opposition strength is how well you can press your thumb against your other fingers. These measurements did not change much between the two groups.
What treatments did patients receive?
| Group | Treatment | Number of Patients |
|---|---|---|
| Combination Group | Hyaluronic acid + Corticosteroid | 74 |
| Control Group | Saline (placebo) + Corticosteroid | 76 |
What do the results mean for you?
Research shows that adding hyaluronic acid to a corticosteroid injection can give you better pain relief at three months. This is important if you are looking for ways to manage your thumb arthritis without surgery.
The combination treatment may help you do daily activities with less pain. Gripping a cup, opening a door, or buttoning a shirt might feel easier. The study focused on pain during activity, which is what matters most to people with thumb arthritis.
However, the benefit may not last as long as you hope. The study found that the difference between the two treatments became smaller after six months. This means you may need another injection later if your pain comes back.
The study also found that strength did not improve much with either treatment. The goal of these injections is to reduce pain, not to make your thumb stronger. If you are hoping for better grip strength, you may need other treatments like hand therapy.
What does this mean for treatment choices?
According to medical evidence from this study, doctors now have stronger reasons to use the combination of hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids for thumb arthritis. Before this study, doctors were not sure if adding hyaluronic acid really helped. Now there is proof that it does, at least for a few months.
If you are considering an injection for thumb pain, ask your doctor about this combination treatment. Not every doctor may offer it yet. But this research gives you something to discuss during your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the pain relief last after the combination injection?
According to this study, the strongest pain relief happened at three months after the injection. Patients still had some benefit at one month. The difference between the combination treatment and corticosteroids alone became smaller at six months and twelve months.
Will the injection make my thumb stronger?
No. Research shows that grip strength and opposition strength stayed about the same in both treatment groups. The injections are meant to reduce pain, not to improve strength. If you want to build strength, you may need hand exercises or therapy.
Is this treatment safe for everyone with thumb arthritis?
The study does not list safety problems or side effects in the abstract. However, not everyone can receive these injections. Your doctor will decide if this treatment is right for you based on your health history and other factors.
Do I need just one injection or will I need more?
The study tested one injection. Some patients may need another injection later if pain comes back. Talk to your doctor about how often you might need treatment.
Conclusion
Living with thumb pain is hard. Simple tasks become challenges. But this research brings good news. Studies indicate that combining hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids can ease your pain better than corticosteroids alone, especially at the three month mark.
This does not mean the combination treatment is perfect. The benefit may fade over time. And it does not make your thumb stronger. But for many people, less pain means a better quality of life.
If you are dealing with thumb arthritis, talk to your doctor. Ask about the combination injection. Bring up this research. Together, you can decide what treatment is best for you.
About this site: We simplify medical science for people with thumb pain and rhizarthrosis. Every article on this site is based only on published scientific research. No guesses. No opinions. Just facts from real studies. Explore more content to learn about your condition and the treatments that might help you.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before starting any treatment. Your doctor knows your health history and can guide you to the best choice for your situation.
Study Citation
Cormier, G.; Denis, A.; Leske, C.; Varin, S.; Dimet, J.; Planche, L.; Le Goff, B. (2025). Improvement of rhizarthrosis pain management with the infiltration of hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids versus corticosteroids alone. Joint Bone Spine.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbspin.2025.105849
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