RESUMEN
PURPOSE: To analyze the long-term response to corticosteroid injection in the management of trigger digit. METHODS: This was an observational study of a prospectively recruited series of patients with first-time diagnosis of trigger finger. Efficacy of the injections, comorbidities, digit injected, and related complications were compared and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 71 digits were included in the study. The median (interquartile range) duration of follow-up was 8 years (range, 7.0-8.3 y). At final follow-up, complete remission of symptoms was obtained in 69% of cases. There were 37 trigger thumbs (52%), with a success rate of 81% compared with 56% in the other the digits. There were 11 patients with diabetes mellitus, and 16 fingers developed trigger finger after carpal tunnel syndrome surgery. We found no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Steroid injections were an effective first-line intervention for the treatment of trigger finger. At long-term follow-up, the success incidence may be as high as 69%. In this study, the efficacy of this treatment increases when treating the thumb compared with other digits.
