RecruitingNot Applicable

Betamethasone vs Dextrose Injections in Trigger Finger

Turkey (Türkiye)42 participantsStarted 2026-06-30

Plain-language summary

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided betamethasone and dextrose injections in patients with trigger finger. Trigger finger is a common hand condition characterized by pain, clicking, and locking of the finger due to tendon entrapment at the A1 pulley. Corticosteroid injections are widely used as a first-line treatment; however, they may be associated with potential side effects. Dextrose injection is an alternative treatment that may promote tissue healing through regenerative mechanisms. However, there is limited high-quality evidence regarding its effectiveness in trigger finger. In this randomized controlled trial, patients will be assigned to receive either betamethasone or dextrose injection under ultrasound guidance. The primary outcome will be pain intensity measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcomes will include triggering severity, hand function, grip and pinch strength, and fine motor skills evaluated over a 12-week follow-up period. The results of this study may help determine whether dextrose injection is a safe and effective alternative to corticosteroid treatment in trigger finger.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 75 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 75 years * Clinical diagnosis of trigger finger * Presence of symptoms for at least 4 weeks Exclusion Criteria: * Previous surgery on the affected finger * Injection treatment to the affected finger within the previous 3 months * Active local or systemic infection * Active malignancy * Active inflammatory rheumatic disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, vasculitis) * Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and/or uncontrolled hypertension * Autoimmune connective tissue diseases (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren syndrome, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, adult-onset Still's disease) * Coagulopathy that increases the risk of injection procedures * Pregnancy * Known allergy or hypersensitivity to lidocaine, betamethasone, or dextrose * Mental impairment or severe psychiatric disorder that may interfere with study participation or informed consent

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in pain intensity assessed by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 hour, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07681804

SponsorIstanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-04

Contact for this trial

Merve Yıldız, MD

+905350229993 merveyildizdr@gmail.com

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Trigger Finger trials