Steroids are often prescribed for their anti-inflammatory effects in patients with musculoskeletal injuries. Studies have shown that steroids may reduce pain and swelling, but their effects on range of motion and functional outcomes have not been illustrated. With this study, we aim to evaluate the effect of steroids on range of motion and functional outcomes in non-operatively managed musculoskeletal injuries of the hand.
Previous studies have investigated the effect of steroids on bone healing, edema reduction and postoperative pain. However, there seems to be a lack of literature on whether the use of steroids for their anti-inflammatory effects actually lead to improved range of motion and functional capacity. If the data shows that steroids do indeed help patients achieve increased functional outcomes, they may be used with higher confidence in their beneficial contribution to patient treatment and quality of life. If, however, the data show that steroids do not confer a significant benefit, they can be disregarded as they will avoid the risks associated with steroid use. We aim to investigate if the use of methylprednisolone will result in significantly improved ranges of motion and self-reported function compared to a control group at each measurement time point.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
Subjects will take a quantity 21 4mg tablets over a 6 week taper.
standard treatment of hand injuries with focus on mobilization. No anti-inflammatory medications. Pain management via Tylenol or narcotics if deemed necessary.
Brielle Orthopedics
Brick, New Jersey, United States
University Orthopedics Associates
Somerset, New Jersey, United States
wrist flexion
degrees of wrist flexion
Time frame: initial
wrist flexion
degrees of wrist flexion
Time frame: 3 weeks
wrist flexion
degrees of wrist flexion
Time frame: 6 weeks
wrist flexion
degrees of wrist flexion
Time frame: 12 weeks
wrist extension
degrees of wrist extension
Time frame: 12 weeks
wrist extension
degrees of wrist extension
Time frame: 6 weeks
wrist extension
degrees of wrist extension
Time frame: 3 weeks
wrist extension
degrees of wrist extension
Time frame: initial
hand supination
degrees of hand supination
Time frame: initial
hand supination
degrees of hand supination
Time frame: 3 weeks
hand supination
degrees of hand supination
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Time frame: 6 weeks
hand supination
degrees of hand supination
Time frame: 12 weeks
hand pronation
degrees of hand pronation
Time frame: initial
hand pronation
degrees of hand pronation
Time frame: 3 weeks
hand pronation
degrees of hand pronation
Time frame: 6 weeks
hand pronation
degrees of hand pronation
Time frame: 12 weeks
wrist ulnar deviation
degrees of wrist ulnar deviance
Time frame: initial
wrist ulnar deviation
degrees of wrist ulnar deviance
Time frame: 3 weeks
wrist ulnar deviation
degrees of wrist ulnar deviance
Time frame: 6 weeks
wrist ulnar deviation
degrees of wrist ulnar deviance
Time frame: 12 weeks
wrist radial deviation
degrees of radial deviance of the wrist
Time frame: initial
wrist radial deviation
degrees of radial deviance of the wrist
Time frame: 3 weeks
wrist radial deviation
degrees of radial deviance of the wrist
Time frame: 6 weeks
wrist radial deviation
degrees of radial deviance of the wrist
Time frame: 12 weeks
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: Flexion
degrees of flexion for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: initial
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: Flexion
degrees of flexion for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: 3 weeks
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: Flexion
degrees of flexion for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: 6 weeks
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: Flexion
degrees of flexion for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: 12 weeks
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: Extension
degrees of extension for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: initial
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: Extension
degrees of extension for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: 3 weeks
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: Extension
degrees of extension for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: 6 weeks
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: Extension
degrees of extension for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: 12 weeks
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: abduction
degrees of abduction for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: initial
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: abduction
degrees of abduction for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: 3 weeks
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: abduction
degrees of abduction for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: 6 weeks
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: abduction
degrees of abduction for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: 12 weeks
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: adduction
degrees of adduction for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: initial
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: adduction
degrees of adduction for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: 3 weeks
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: adduction
degrees of adduction for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: 6 weeks
MCP, DIP, PIP of digits 2-5: adduction
degrees of adduction for MCP, DIP, and PIP of digits 2-5
Time frame: 12 weeks
Thumb Opposition at MCP
degrees of thumb opposition
Time frame: initial
Thumb Opposition at MCP
degrees of thumb opposition
Time frame: 3 weeks
Thumb Opposition at MCP
degrees of thumb opposition
Time frame: 6 weeks
Thumb Opposition at MCP
degrees of thumb opposition
Time frame: 12 weeks
Thumb extension at IP
degrees of thumb IP extension
Time frame: initial
Thumb extension at IP
degrees of thumb IP extension
Time frame: 3 weeks
Thumb extension at IP
degrees of thumb IP extension
Time frame: 6 weeks
Thumb extension at IP
degrees of thumb IP extension
Time frame: 12 weeks
Thumb flexion at IP
degrees of thumb IP flexion
Time frame: initial
Thumb flexion at IP
degrees of thumb IP flexion
Time frame: 3 weeks
Thumb flexion at IP
degrees of thumb IP flexion
Time frame: 6 weeks
Thumb flexion at IP
degrees of thumb IP flexion
Time frame: 12 weeks
Quick DASH Questionnaire
patient-reported outcome survey that evaluates functionality and patient-perceived disability
Time frame: 6 weeks
Quick DASH Questionnaire
patient-reported outcome survey that evaluates functionality and patient-perceived disability
Time frame: 12 weeks
VAS Pain Scale
visual analog pain scale
Time frame: 3 weeks
VAS Pain Scale
visual analog pain scale
Time frame: 6 weeks
VAS Pain Scale
visual analog pain scale
Time frame: 12 weeks
Complications
list of adverse events
Time frame: 3 weeks
Complications
list of adverse events
Time frame: 6 weeks
Complications
list of adverse events
Time frame: 12 weeks
Edema Measurements
measurements of noted edema to the study area
Time frame: 3 weeks
Edema Measurements
measurements of noted edema to the study area
Time frame: 6 weeks
Edema Measurements
measurements of noted edema to the study area
Time frame: 12 weeks