Is arthritis an associated risk factor for trigger finger occurrence after carpal tunnel release? A nationwide, population-based study in Korea.

PURPOSE: We hypothesized that increased friction between the flexor tendon and surrounding structures due to hand arthritis is an important risk factor for trigger finger (TF) after carpal tunnel release (CTR). Therefore, we compared TF development according to the presence or absence of arthritis in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients treated with CTR. METHODS: This retrospective study was based on data collected from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) in the Republic of Korea between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2015. Patients diagnosed with TF between one month and one year after the CTR date or with a history of surgery were included in the study. During subsequent follow-up, the patients were divided into subgroups of those (1) with TF and (2) without TF. Sex, age, arthritis, and TF-related comorbidities were compared between the subgroups. RESULTS: The subgroup with TF had a higher proportion of women (9.43% vs 90.57%), the highest age range between 50 and 59 years, more cases of arthritis (32.55% vs 16.79%), and a higher proportion of patients with hypothyroidism (10.85% vs 4.60%) than the group without TF. The association between arthritis and TF after CTR was examined using a multivariate logistic regression model, showing arthritis to be a significant risk factor for TF after CTR (odds ratio, 1.35; P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: We identified arthritis as an important risk factor for the development of TF after CTR.

Hyperglycaemia is a causal risk factor for upper limb pathologies.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes (regardless of type) and obesity are associated with a range of musculoskeletal disorders. The causal mechanisms driving these associations are unknown for many upper limb pathologies. We used genetic techniques to test the causal link between glycemia, obesity and musculoskeletal conditions. METHODS: In the UK Biobank's unrelated European cohort (N = 379 708) we performed mendelian randomisation (MR) analyses to test for a causal effect of long-term high glycaemia and adiposity on four musculoskeletal pathologies: frozen shoulder, Dupuytren's disease, carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger. We also performed single-gene MR using rare variants in the GCK gene. RESULTS: Using MR, we found evidence that long-term high glycaemia has a causal role in the aetiology of upper limb conditions. A 10-mmol/mol increase in genetically predicted haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) was associated with frozen shoulder: odds ratio (OR) = 1.50 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.20-1.88], Dupuytren's disease: OR = 1.17 (95% CI, 1.01-1.35), trigger finger: OR = 1.30 (95% CI, 1.09-1.55) and carpal tunnel syndrome: OR = 1.20 (95% CI, 1.09-1.33). Carriers of GCK mutations have increased odds of frozen shoulder: OR = 7.16 (95% CI, 2.93-17.51) and carpal tunnel syndrome: OR = 2.86 (95% CI, 1.50-5.44) but not Dupuytren's disease or trigger finger. We found evidence that an increase in genetically predicted body mass index (BMI) of 5 kg/m2 was associated with carpal tunnel syndrome: OR = 1.13 (95% CI, 1.10-1.16) and associated negatively with Dupuytren's disease: OR = 0.94 (95% CI, 0.90-0.98), but no evidence of association with frozen shoulder or trigger finger. Trigger finger (OR 1.96 (95% CI, 1.42-2.69) P = 3.6e-05) and carpal tunnel syndrome [OR 1.63 (95% CI, 1.36-1.95) P = 8.5e-08] are associated with genetically predicted unfavourable adiposity increase of one standard deviation of body fat. CONCLUSIONS: Our study consistently demonstrates a causal role of long-term high glycaemia in the aetiology of upper limb musculoskeletal conditions. Clinicians treating diabetes patients should be aware of these complications in clinic, specifically those managing the care of GCK mutation carriers. Upper limb musculoskeletal conditions should be considered diabetes complications.

Musculoskeletal co-morbidities in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: a systematic review.

The prevalence of transthyretin-associated amyloidosis cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) has grown because of newer non-invasive diagnosis tools. Detecting the presence of extra-cardiac ATTR manifestations such as musculoskeletal pathologies considered 'red flags', when there is minimal or non-cardiac clinical involvement is primordial to carry out an early diagnosis. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the prevalence of musculoskeletal, ATTR-deposition-related co-morbidities in patients already diagnosed with ATTR-CM, specifically carpal tunnel syndrome, ruptured biceps tendon, spinal stenosis, and trigger finger. We performed a systematic review using PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were all studies in English and Spanish language and participants had to be patients diagnosed with ATTR-CM, by any diagnostic method, with the musculoskeletal co-morbidities subject of this review. The quality of the studies was based on the Risk of Bias Tool. This systematic review included 22 studies for final analysis. Carpal tunnel syndrome is reported in 21 studies, brachial biceps tendon rupture is reported in three, and spinal stenosis in eight studies. No articles that accomplished all the inclusion criteria for trigger finger were found. Regarding to the quality of the studies, all of them were categorized as being of high and moderate quality. The frequent association between ATTR-CM and carpal tunnel syndrome, ruptured biceps tendon, and lumbar spinal is confirmed, and the onset of these co-morbidities usually precedes the diagnosis of by years. This association defines them as red flags that should be search proactively due to the current treatment possibilities and the severity of the presentation of cardiac amyloidosis.

High incidence of trigger finger after carpal tunnel release: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Trigger finger (TF) often occurs after carpal tunnel release (CTR), but the mechanism and outcomes remain inconsistent. This study evaluated the incidence of TF after CTR and its related risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ​PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched up to 27 August 2022, with the following keywords: "carpal tunnel release" and "trigger finger". Studies with complete data on the incidence of TF after CTR and published full text. The primary outcome was the association between CTR and the subsequent occurrence of the TF and to calculate the pooled incidence of post-CTR TF. The secondary outcomes included the potential risk factors among patients with and without post-CTR TF as well as the prevalence of the post-CTR TF on the affected digits. RESULTS: Ten studies with total 10,399 participants in 9 studies and 875 operated hands in one article were included for meta-analysis. CTR significantly increases the risk of following TF occurrence (odds ratio=2.67; 95% CI 2.344-3.043; P <0.001). The pooled incidence of TF development after CTR was 7.7%. Women were more likely to develop a TF after CTR surgery (odds ratio=2.02; 95% CI 1.054-3.873; P =0.034). Finally, the thumb was the most susceptible fingers, followed by middle and ring fingers. CONCLUSIONS: High incidence of TF comes after CTR, and women were more susceptible than man. Clinicians were suggested to notice the potential risk of TF after CTR in clinical practice. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, meta-analysis.

High HbA1c Levels Are Associated With Development of Trigger Finger in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: An Observational Register-Based Study From Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: Trigger finger (TF) is a hand disorder causing the fingers to painfully lock in flexion. Diabetes is a known risk factor; however, whether strict glycemic control effectively lowers risk of TF is unknown. Our aim was to examine whether high HbA1c was associated with increased risk of TF among individuals with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The Swedish National Diabetes Register (NDR) was cross-linked with the health care register of the Region of Skåne in southern Sweden. In total, 9,682 individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and 85,755 individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) aged ≥18 years were included from 2004 to 2019. Associations between HbA1c and TF were calculated with sex-stratified, multivariate logistic regression models with 95% CIs, with adjustment for age, duration of diabetes, BMI, and systolic blood pressure. RESULTS: In total, 486 women and 271 men with T1D and 1,143 women and 1,009 men with T2D were diagnosed with TF. Increased levels of HbA1c were associated with TF among individuals with T1D (women OR 1.26 [95% CI 1.1-1.4], P = 0.001, and men 1.4 [1.2-1.7], P < 0.001) and T2D (women 1.14 [95% CI 1.2-1.2], P < 0.001, and men 1.12 [95% CI 1.0-1.2], P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemia increases the risk of developing TF among individuals with T1D and T2D. Optimal treatment of diabetes seems to be of importance for prevention of diabetic hand complications such as TF.

Association between diabetes mellitus and risk of infection after trigger finger release: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between diabetes mellitus and risk of infection after trigger finger release. METHODS: Reports of adult trigger finger patients who had undergone trigger finger release that included details of patient diabetic status and post-surgery infections were included in the study. Reports of congenital trigger finger release and incomplete data on either diabetic status or infection after surgery were excluded. Search engines were PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science from inception to third December 2021. The risk of infection after trigger finger release was compared between diabetic and non-diabetic patients by evaluating the pooled risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confident interval (CI) under random effects modeling. Risk of bias in each study was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). RESULTS: A total of 213,071 trigger finger patients described in seven studies were identified. Overall, patients with diabetes mellitus had a 65% higher risk of infection after trigger finger release compared to non-diabetic patients (RR 1.65; 95% CI, 1.39-1.95). Diabetes mellitus increased the risk of infection following trigger finger surgery in both young and old age groups as well as obese and non-obese patients who underwent open release surgery. The risk of bias in each of the included studies was estimated as moderate to high. CONCLUSION: Meta-analysis results demonstrated that diabetes mellitus increases the risk of infection after trigger finger release. Glycemic control and percutaneous rather than open surgery might be strategies to the reduce risk of infection after trigger finger release in diabetic patients.

[Carpal tunnel compression syndrome and third finger in trigger secondary to an encapsulated fibrolipoma of the wrist: a case report]. / Síndrome de compresión del túnel del carpo y tercer dedo en gatillo secundarios a un fibrolipoma encapsulado de la muñeca: reporte de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: the association of carpal tunnel syndrome with stenosing tenosynovitis of the hand is very rare, even more, if it is generated by a fibrolipoma at the carpal tunnel. The imaging study useful to detect this type of hand injuries are X-ray screening for carpal tunnel, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. But these are not commonly used for the study of protocolized carpal tunnel syndrome and much less trigger finger. OBJECTIVE: the aim of this work is to report a case of a middle-aged female with carpal tunnel syndrome characteristic symptoms, associated with the third trigger finger; she was handled with the release of the median nerve by a minimally invasive approach, in addition to the A1 pulley release. CLINICAL CASE: the patient persists with both problems and at a secondary surgical review, we detected wrist locking sensation. The patient was reoperated finding an ovoid encapsulated tumor, measuring 3.0 × 2.0 × 1.0 cm, with smooth outer surface, whitish appearance, and soft rubbery consistency. The biopsy pathology outlines identified an encapsulated fibrolipoma, causing nerve compression and locking flexor tendon. CONCLUSION: the importance of this writing is in adding tumors to the etiological repertoire, which can cause compression of the median nerve and even less frequent as a cause of the flexor tendons of the hand snagging.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la asociación del síndrome del túnel del carpo con tenosinovitis estenosante de la mano es muy rara, aún más, si es generada por un fibrolipoma a nivel del túnel del carpo. El estudio de imagen para detectar este tipo de lesiones en la mano incluye: desde una radiografía con proyección para el túnel del carpo, tomografía axial computarizada y resonancia magnética nuclear; pero éstos no se utilizan habitualmente para el estudio protocolizado del síndrome del túnel del carpo y mucho menos para los dedos en gatillo. OBJETIVO: el objetivo de este trabajo es reportar un caso en el cual se presenta la sintomatología característica de un síndrome de túnel del carpo, asociada a tercer dedo en gatillo, el cual se maneja con la liberación del nervio mediano por medio de un abordaje de mínima invasión, además de la polea A1. CASO CLÍNICO: la paciente persistió con ambas alteraciones y en la revisión secundaria se detectó bloqueo a nivel de la muñeca. Se intervino nuevamente a la paciente y se encontró una tumoración encapsulada, que midió 3.0 × 2.0 × 1.0 cm, con superficie externa lisa, blanquecina, de aspecto ovoide y consistencia blanda "ahulada". El estudio anatomopatológico la identificó como un fibrolipoma encapsulado que ocasionó la compresión nerviosa y el bloqueo del tendón flexor. CONCLUSIÓN: la importancia de este reporte de caso radica en agregar los tumores al repertorio etiológico, que además pueden provocar una compresión del nervio mediano y en que sean aún menos frecuentes como causa de atrapamiento de los tendones flexores de la mano.

Use of a Percutaneous Needle Release Technique for Trigger Thumb: A Retrospective Study of 11 Patients from a Single Center.

BACKGROUND Trigger finger is a very common disorder that occurs in both adults and children. Trigger finger presents mainly as pain and limited movement of the affected digit. This report describes a modified percutaneous needle release and an evaluation of its clinical efficacy to treat trigger thumb. MATERIAL AND METHODS Trigger thumb of 11 patients was released percutaneously using a specially designed needle (0.8×100 mm) with a planus tip. Complete release was ensured when no more grating sound was heard and the needle moved freely at the tip. Pain-related functional score was evaluated preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. Resolution of Notta's node, triggered or locked, Quinnell's criteria, and patient satisfaction were also assessed at 3 months after the operation. RESULTS After the percutaneous trigger thumb release, the overall visual analog scale (VAS) and pain-related functional scores declined significantly (P<0.01). There was no recurrence of thumb locking or triggering or Notta's node. Only the first patient had incomplete release of the first annular pulley, and all patients showed high satisfaction with the procedure at 3 months after their operation. During the study, patients did not experience any complications such as inflammation, edema, or digital nerve injury. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that the percutaneous technique is effective, less time-consuming, and safe for treating trigger thumb. Our release technique using a specially designed percutaneous needle is a valuable treatment for trigger thumb.

Interleukin-6 secretion by fibroblasts in carpal tunnel syndrome patients is associated with trigger finger and inhibited by tranilast.

INTRODUCTION: In this study we aimed to clarify the association between interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion in fibroblasts in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients and their biophysical parameters, including association with trigger finger and whether tranilast inhibits IL-6 secretion in fibroblasts. METHODS: Fibroblasts were obtained from tenosynovial tissue harvested from idiopathic CTS patients undergoing carpal tunnel release and tenosynovectomy and cultured in media containing tranilast with or without tumor necrosis-α (TNF-α) or interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß). Their proliferation was evaluated and secreted IL-6 levels and IL-6 mRNA expression were quantified. Correlations between IL-6 concentration and patient characteristics were examined. RESULTS: IL-6 secretion was significantly associated with trigger finger (P = .001). Tranilast inhibited fibroblast proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed IL-6 secretion. DISCUSSION: IL-6 overproduction in tenosynovial tissue may account for the association between CTS and trigger finger. Future studies should investigate whether tranilast can be used to treat patients with CTS.

Biochemical markers decrease and increase disproportionally in A1 pulley tissue of type 2 diabetic trigger finger patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to detect the levels of some biochemical markers in A1 pulley tissue of type 2 diabetic trigger finger patients to enlighten the mechanisms leading to cellular complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 35 trigger finger patients (5 males, 30 females; mean age 53.9±9.15 years; range, 37 to 71 years). We measured total thiol (total-SH) levels to determine the status of the non-enzymatic antioxidant defense system and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels to determine levels of oxidative protein modification in pulley tissues of trigger finger patients with or without diabetes. Extracellular matrix degradation was assessed by measuring levels of sialic acid (SA) in the pulley tissue. RESULTS: Total-SH values for the groups with and without diabetes were 22.7±1.6 vs. 38.9±5.2 nmol/mg protein, respectively, while AOPP values were 472.5±131.6 vs.175.6±9.9 mmol/g protein, respectively. The SA levels of diabetic and nondiabetic patients were 0.4±0.0 vs. 0.63±0.1 nmol/mg protein, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that tissue SA levels and tissue SH levels decreased and AOPP levels increased disproportionally in the A1 pulley tissue of diabetic patients, which may indicate the role of oxidative protein damage and extracellular matrix changes in diabetic trigger finger etiology.

Efficacy of Corticosteroid Injection for Treatment of Trigger Finger: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of corticosteroid injection for trigger finger by performing a meta-analysis of all relevant studies. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing corticosteroid injection with other treatments for trigger finger. Pooled summary estimates for outcomes, including success rate, relapse rate, visual analogue score (VAS) and complications, were calculated as standardized mean difference (SMD) or relative risk (RR) either on a fixed- or random-effect model via Stata 12.0 software. Results: Ten literatures involving 806 patients (387 in corticosteroid injection group and 419 in control group) were included. Pooled analysis showed there were no differences in the success rate, VAS and complications between patients undergoing corticosteroid injection and others. However, the relapse rate was significantly higher in patients treated with corticosteroid injection than that of other treatments (RR = 19.53, 95% CI = 6.23-61.19). Subgroup analysis indicated the efficacy of corticosteroid injection was superior to other non-surgical treatments (success rate: RR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.01-2.35), but inferior to surgery (success rate: RR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.48-0.63; relapse rate: RR = 21.15, 95% CI = 6.06-73.85; VAS: SMD = 3.49, 95% CI = 2.84-4.14). Conclusions: Corticosteroid injection may be an effective strategy for management of trigger finger, although surgery may be needed for some patients due to recurrence.

Preoperative Hypoglycemia Increases Infection Risk After Trigger Finger Injection and Release.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a well-known risk factor for infection after trigger finger (TF) injection and/or release. However, the effect of preoperative hypoglycemia before TF injection or release is currently unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of preoperative hypoglycemia on infection incidence after TF injection or release. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort review between 2007 and 2015 was conducted using a national private payer database within the PearlDiver Supercomputer. Preoperative, fasting, glucose levels were collected for each patient, and these ranged from 20 to 219 mg/dL. Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were determined using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. RESULTS: The query of the PearlDiver database returned 153,479 TF injections, of which 3479 (2.27%) and 6276 (4.09%) had infections within 90 days and 1 year after procedure, respectively. There were 70,290 TF releases identified, with 1887 (2.68%) SSIs captured within 3 months after surgery and 3144 (4.47%) within 1 year after surgery. There was a statistically significant increase in SSI rates in patients with hypoglycemia within 90-day (P = 0.006) and 1-year (P < 0.001) time intervals post-TF injection. Likewise, a statistically significant increase in SSI rate in patients with hypoglycemia undergoing TF release within 1 year after release was seen (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Hypoglycemia before TF injection or release increases the risk for SSI. Tight glycemic control may be warranted to mitigate this risk. Further studies are needed to investigate the effect of hypoglycemia as an independent risk factor for SSI.

Predicting Clinical Outcome After Surgical Treatment in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

PURPOSE: Carpal tunnel release (CTR) is typically offered to symptomatic patients with electrophysiological abnormalities when night orthoses no longer prevent waking with numbness and preferably before there is any static numbness, weakness, or atrophy. The ability to predict the amount of symptom relief after CTR could be beneficial for managing patient expectations and, therefore, improve treatment satisfaction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify predictors for symptom relief after CTR and to determine their contribution to symptom relief at 6 months after surgery. METHODS: A total of 1,049 patients who underwent CTR between 2011 and 2015 at 1 of 11 Xpert Clinics in the Netherlands were asked to complete online questionnaires at intake and 3 and 6 months after surgery. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and baseline scores were considered potential predictors for the amount of symptom relief on the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) score, which was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: A low score on the BCTQ at intake, a codiagnosis of a trigger finger, ulnar nerve neuropathy, trapeziometacarpal joint arthrosis, and instability or arthrosis of the wrist were associated with a smaller improvement in the BCTQ domains after a CTR at 6 months after surgery and accounted for 35% to 42% of the variance on the BCTQ domains in our multivariable regression models. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we showed that clinical severity of carpal tunnel syndrome at intake is the most important factor in estimating symptom relief after surgical treatment. Furthermore, this study contributes to a more precise understanding of the capabilities of CTR in relieving symptoms for different subgroups of patients. Results of our study can be used to manage patient expectation on symptom relief from CTR. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic II.

Trigger Finger Location and Association of Comorbidities.

Trigger finger is a common cause of hand pain in the adult population. Studies in the past have suggested that ring finger and thumb are the most prevalent trigger fingers. Risk factors, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism, have been reportedly linked to trigger fingers. This observational prospective study was carried out to identify the most commonly affected trigger finger and observe associated comorbidities. At a single clinical site, a total of 46 patients with 54 trigger fingers on 49 hands were identified over a 7-week period. Ring finger, thumb, and long finger were observed to be the most frequent trigger fingers. No strong association between trigger finger and comorbidities, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism was observed.

Outcomes and complications after percutaneous release for trigger digits in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

UNLABELLED: We compared the short-term (3 months) and long-term (2 years) outcomes and complications of percutaneous release of 187 trigger digits of 154 patients treated between 2009 and 2012, all treated by a single surgeon. The 154 patients included 48 patients with diabetes mellitus and 106 non-diabetic patients. The only short-term complication was pain, occurring in three digits (5%) in the diabetic patients and six digits (5%) in the non-diabetic patients. The long-term complications were pain in 15 digits (25%) in the diabetic patients and 18 digits (14%) in the non-diabetic patients. This was not significant (p = 0.058). Recurrent triggering occurred in nine digits (15%) in the diabetic patients, which was significantly greater than the six digits (5%) in the non-diabetic patients (p = 0.013). The non-diabetic patients were significantly more satisfied. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: level III.

De Quervain tendinopathy: survivorship and prognostic indicators of recurrence following a single corticosteroid injection.

PURPOSE: To determine short- and long-term success rates of a single corticosteroid injection for de Quervain tendinopathy while identifying prognostic indicators for symptom recurrence and repeat intervention. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients with de Quervain tendinopathy treated with corticosteroid injections (lidocaine plus triamcinolone acetonide or dexamethasone) were prospectively enrolled. Patients with inflammatory arthritis, carpometacarpal osteoarthritis, or a previous distal radius fracture affecting the symptomatic wrist were excluded. Demographic data and information on existing comorbidities were recorded. Patients were seen in clinic at 6 weeks after injection and contacted at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months following injection to determine symptom recurrence and further intervention. Medical records were also reviewed for this purpose. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression modeling were used to estimate recurrence rates and identify predictors of symptom recurrence and repeat intervention. RESULTS: Fifty wrists in 50 patients (average age, 49 y) were included. One patient was lost to follow-up. Eighty-two percent of patients had resolved symptoms 6 weeks after a steroid injection. Twenty-four patients had a recurrence of symptoms at a median of 84 days after the injection. Eleven patients underwent additional intervention (7 surgical releases and 4 repeat injections) at a median of 129 days (range, 42-365) after the injection. Estimated freedom from symptom recurrence was 52% at 6 and 12 months. Estimated freedom from repeat intervention was 81% at 6 months and 77% at 12 months. Two of 3 patients with a history of trigger finger required subsequent de Quervain surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that a single cortisone injection was effective in alleviating symptoms of de Quervain tendinopathy in 82% of patients and that over half remained symptom-free for at least 12 months. All patients with recurring symptoms developed them within the first 6 months. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.

Do not rush to return to sports after trigger finger injection.

Trigger finger, or digital stenosing tenosynovitis, is a common hand problem. A widely accepted treatment is steroid injection into the flexor tendon sheath. This can cause rupture of the flexor tendon. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no report on tendon rupture after a single corticosteroid injection. Moreover, there are no guidelines for patients with tendinopathy who want to return to sports after corticosteroid injection. Clinicians who perform local steroid injections for tendinopathy treatment should be aware of the possible dangers of tendon rupture and should confirm that steroids are not administrated into the tendon. Patients should also be warned about returning to sports prematurely and should be encouraged to gradually resume sports after the injection to prevent further damage. Herein, we report an unusual case of flexor digitorum profundus rupture after a single corticosteroid injection in a 57-yr-old male golfer and we also present a review of the literature.

The efficacy of 95-Hz topical vibration in pain reduction for trigger finger injection: a placebo-controlled, prospective, randomized trial.

PURPOSE: To determine whether vibratory stimulation would decrease pain experienced by patients during corticosteroid injection for trigger finger. METHODS: A total of 90 trigger finger injections were randomized to 1 of 3 cohorts. With the injection, patients received no vibration (control group), ultrasound vibration (sham control group), or vibration (experimental group). We used a commercial handheld massaging device to provide a vibratory stimulus for the experimental group. We obtained visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores before and after injection to assess anticipated pain and actual pain experienced. RESULTS: Anticipated pain and actual pain did not differ significantly among groups. Anticipated VAS pain scores were 45, 48, and 50 and actual VAS pain scores were 56, 56, and 63 for the vibration, control, and sham control groups, respectively. When normalized using anchoring VAS pain scores for "stubbing a toe" or "paper cut," no between-group differences remained in injection pain scores. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant vibratory stimulation does not reduce pain experienced during corticosteroid injections for trigger finger. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic I.