Short-term Efficacy of Ultrasonographic Guidance for Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injection in Hallux Rigidus: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Multiple considerations should be taken before standardizing a clinical procedure such as efficacy, safety, or the cost. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of landmark-guided vs ultrasonography-guided intra-articular injection of corticosteroid into the first metatarsophalangeal joint cavity to reduce pain and dysfunction in patients with hallux rigidus. Methods: We carried out a single-blind randomized controlled trial with 2 parallel arms in an outpatient clinic affiliated with a medical university. In total, 50 participants (35 women) with the mean (SD) age of 49.8 (10.3) years were randomly allocated to landmark-guided or ultrasonography-guided groups (each n = 25). Each patient received a single intra-articular injection of 40-mg methylprednisolone plus 1 mL lidocaine into the affected first metatarsophalangeal joint. The primary outcome was joint pain and the secondary outcome was the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score. We measured the outcomes at baseline and 2 and 6 weeks after the intervention. Results: Six weeks after the injections, there were no statistically significant differences between the study groups in pain reduction and increase in the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society scores (P = .131 and .241, respectively). We did not find any complications for the injections in both groups. There were statistically significant changes within each group in pain and the scores for the landmark (P < .001, and P = .007), and ultrasonography groups (both P < .001). Conclusion: Landmark guidance is as effective as ultrasonographic guidance for intra-articular injection in patients with hallux rigidus. A single intra-articular injection of 40 mg methylprednisolone plus 1 mL lidocaine is an efficient and safe therapeutic measure for decreasing joint pain and maintaining its function, at least for 6 weeks. Level of Evidence: Level I, high-quality prospective randomized study.