Ketorolac in Upper Extremity Tendinopathy and Arthropathy

Purpose

Osteoarthritis (OA) and inflammatory conditions of the tendons and joints of the shoulder, elbow, hand, and wrist are common yet disabling diseases. Standard management utilizes conservative measures to minimize pain and improve function. Conservative pharmacological management commonly includes corticosteroid and ketorolac injections which have been well investigated as a modality of pain control and improved function in large joint OA. However, fewer studies yielding mixed results on the duration of symptomatic relief exist for arthropathy and tendinopathy of these joints. The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ketorolac and triamcinolone injections for common shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand tendinopathy or arthropathy. Participants will be blinded to the treatment received. The duration of an individual participant's participation in this study is 24 weeks. During this time period, patients will be asked to return to the clinic for an in-person follow-up 6 weeks after the injection with either ketorolac or triamcinolone) in order to assess participants' outcomes. All work related to this project will take place at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex, Emory Executive Park, Emory Musculoskeletal Institute, the Emory University Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital, and the Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital. This study will add to existing knowledge by providing further insight into how wrist arthropathy should be most optimally and conservatively managed.

Conditions

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Tendinopathy
  • Arthropathy

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 18 or older, - symptomatic tendinopathy or arthropathy of the shoulder, elbow, hand, or wrist who have not undergone prior surgical treatment for their condition. - Diagnoses may include trigger finger, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, radiocarpal osteoarthritis, first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis, metacarpophalangeal joint osteoarthritis, or proximal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Patients under the age of 18, - Patients who have undergone prior triamcinolone or ketorolac injections within the past 6 months, - Patients who have undergone prior surgical treatment for their hand condition, - Patients with allergy or contraindication to triamcinolone or ketorolac injection, - Patients with an active infection at the treatment site [active infection defined as cellulitis, purulence, fever, chills, or presence of elevated inflammatory markers, ie. white blood cells (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP)].

Study Design

Phase
Phase 4
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Single (Participant)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Triamcinolone injection to the shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand
Participants will receive the triamcinolone injection solutions in a standard fashion. Injections will be performed using the treating physician's standard technique.
  • Drug: Triamcinolone injection to the shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand
    Triamcinolone is a corticosteroid that decreases the inflammatory process by inhibiting the release of arachidonic acid from phospholipids.
    Other names:
    • Triamcinolone
Active Comparator
Ketorolac injection to the shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand
Participants will receive the Ketoralac injection solutions in a standard fashion. Injections will be performed using the treating physician's standard technique.
  • Drug: Ketorolac injection to the shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand
    Ketorolac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces inflammation by inhibiting Cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 dependent prostaglandin release via the cyclooxygenase pathway.
    Other names:
    • Ketoralac

Recruiting Locations

Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Contact:
Paul A. Ghareeb, MD
(404) 778-3350
paul.ghareeb@emory.edu

Emory University Orthopaedic and Spine Center
Atlanta, Georgia 30324
Contact:
Amanda L Demsey, MD
(404) 778-6381
amanda.l.dempsey@emory.edu

12 Executive Park Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
Contact:
Paul A. Ghareeb, MD
(404) 778-3350
paul.ghareeb@emory.edu

Emory University Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
Contact:
Paul A. Ghareeb, MD
404-778-3350
paul.ghareeb@emory.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Emory University

Study Contact

Paul A. Ghareeb, MD
404-778-3350
paul.ghareeb@emory.edu

Detailed Description

Osteoarthritis (OA) and inflammatory conditions of the tendons and joints of the upper extremity are common yet disabling diseases. These pathologic processes are progressive and painful leading to significant impairments in quality of life. Diagnosed patients experience a profound reduction of strength and dexterity hindering all activities of daily living. For a majority of the aforementioned shoulder, elbow, and hand/wrist arthropathies and tendinopathies, no curative treatments exist. Standard management utilizes conservative measures to minimize pain and improve function. These non-surgical treatments include physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), orthosis, occupational protective equipment, and intra-articular injections. Corticosteroid injections have been well investigated as a modality of pain control and improved function in large joint OA, however, fewer studies with mixed results on the duration of symptomatic relief exist for OA or tendinopathy of the smaller structures of the upper extremities. Furthermore, intra-articular corticosteroid injections are not without side effects. Adverse effects such as intra-articular infection, intra-articular calcification, skin atrophy, hypopigmentation, and tendinopathy have been reported. NSAIDs, such as ketorolac, are widely used in OA to provide analgesia and reduce the underlying inflammatory process. The literature demonstrates that intra-articular NSAID injections are effective in reducing pain and functional disability in patients with knee and hip OA, however, randomized controlled trials involving the upper extremity are lacking. The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ketorolac and triamcinolone injections for common shoulder, elbow, hand, and wrist tendinopathy or arthropathy.