Betamethasone vs Dextrose Injections in Trigger Finger

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.

Timeline

Start

2026-06

Primary completion

2027-04

Completion

2027-05

Publications

• Background Liu DH, Tsai MW, Lin SH, Chou CL, Chiu JW, Chiang CC, Kao CL. Ultrasound-Guided Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Trigger Finger: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Dec;96(12):2120-7. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.08.421. Epub 2015 Sep 1.
• Background Rahman AN, Herman H, Bujangga KG, Sugiarto J. Grade III bilateral trigger thumbs treated by prolotherapy: a case report. World Journal of Current Medical and Pharmaceutical Research. 2022;4(6):143-146.
• Background Yoon Y, Hwang JH, Lee J, Suryadi T, Suhaimi A, Shim J, Lam KHS. Unusual Triggering of the Finger Caused by Distal Flexor Tendinopathy: Successful Treatment With Ultrasound-Guided Prolotherapy. Cureus. 2025 Dec 19;17(12):e99605. doi: 10.7759/cureus.99605. eCollection 2025 Dec.

Drugs

Indications