Erosive Osteoarthritis of the Hands: Treatment by Methotrexate Versus Placebo

Interest of methotrexate in inflammatory rheumatisms was demonstrated since several years. At present time,there is no effective treatment against digital arthritis. The investigators purpose to measure the efficacy of methotrexate on digital arthritis. In this aim, two groups were compared. The first group receive 10mg/week of methotrexate administered in one shot (every Monday for example)during 12 months. The second group receive 10mg/week of placebo according to the same procedure

Inclusion Criteria: * hand arthritis * pain over 40/100 * stable treatment since 4 weeks at least with non-steroid analgesic * between 45 et 85 years Exclusion Criteria: * pregnancy or breast feeding women * hyaluronic acid injection within the past 6 months * cortisonic derivated injection within the past 3 months