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Purpose: Trigger finger (TF) is a common hand condition that can be treated with surgery. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether ultrasound-guided (US-guided) percutaneous surgery is superior to other conventional surgical methods., Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search in Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing US-guided TF release with blind percutaneous or open approaches. We combined Risk Ratios (RR) and Mean Differences (MD) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) across studies. Data processing and analysis were conducted using R software, version 4.3.1., Results: Our analysis included eight RCTs and two observational studies with 555 patients. US-guided surgery significantly reduced postoperative DASH scores (MD -3.75 points; 95% CI = -7.48, -0.02; p < 0.01), shortened time to resume activities (MD -11.52 days; 95% CI = -16.13, -6.91; p < 0.01), hastened discontinuation of oral analgesics (MD -4.44 days; 95% CI = -8.01, -0.87; p < 0.01), and improved patient satisfaction scores (RR 1.13; 95% CI = 1.04, 1.23; p = 0.75). There were no significant differences in VAS scores, time to movement recovery, or surgical success rate., Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous release is a safe, effective, and superior alternative for treating TF compared to other methods, leading to improved DASH scores, quicker recovery, faster cessation of oral analgesics, and enhanced patient satisfaction., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to SICOT aisbl.)

Background: Trigger finger (also known as stenosing tenosynovitis) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the fingers and causes discomfort and functional impairment. It is estimated to affect 2-3.6% of the population and is more common in manual laborers and individuals engaged in repetitive hand activities. This study comprehensively compares the efficacy of ultrasound-guided release versus traditional open surgery in treating trigger fingers., Materials: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria were studies evaluating ultrasound-guided release of trigger finger (grade 2 and higher) compared with open surgical release. A meta-analysis was performed by Revman software 5.4.1 to assess efficacy, utilizing appropriate statistical methods to address heterogeneity. Primary outcome measures included "Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand" (QDASH) scores, Grip strength, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Secondary outcome measures included Days of stopping analgesia, full-digit flexion and extension, days to return to normal activities, pinch strength, Quinnell grading score, and bow strengthening., Results: Out of the initial pool of 820 studies, five met the inclusion criteria, including 275 patients with 283 trigger digits. The analysis revealed significant differences favoring the ultrasound-guided release group over the surgical group for improvement in Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score in the first month (MD -0.48, 95% CI: 0.75 to -0.2, P = .0007, I 2  = 20%). The difference was not statistically significant in the 3-month follow-up period (MD -2.25, 95% CI: -0.54 to 0.05, P = .1, I 2  = 0%). Additionally, there is a significant difference in the days required for return to normal activities in favor of the ultrasound release approach (MD -13.78, 95% CI: -16.68 to 10.89, P = .00001, I 2  = 68%). The data displayed heterogeneity, which was resolved through sensitivity analysis that also favored the ultrasound-guided group. In terms of grip strength, full-digit flexion and extension, VAS, and days of stopping analgesia no significant differences were observed., Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided release showed advantages over open surgical release, resulting in improved QDASH score and quicker return to normal activities. This offers a minimally invasive, successful alternative to open surgery, reducing associated risks. Further studies with long-term follow-up are recommended., (© 2024 American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.)

Trigger finger causes pain and a persistent functional limitation of the hand, which can lead to permanent blockage of the flexor tendon. Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous release has been widely reported as a successful technique for trigger finger involving the A1 pulley. This article describes for the first time the use of this technique in an unusual location, the A3 pulley of the fifth finger. A 71-year-old patient presented with a 3-month history of pain and blockage in the fifth finger of the right hand and was diagnosed with a grade III trigger finger, according to the Froimson scale. We performed an ultrasonography-guided percutaneous release technique on the A3 pulley to release the flexor tendon of the fifth finger. Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous polectomy to treat trigger finger in the A1 pulley is an effective alternative treatment to surgery and even has certain advantages over it. The anatomical similarity between the A1 and A3 pulleys was the key factor that supported the use of this technique in this clinical case. Based on past experience in similar cases, we conclude that ultrasonography-guided percutaneous polectomy of the A3 pulley of the fifth finger was a surgical technique which could lead to a satisfactory outcome in the treatment of this condition.

In this study, 30 patients with unilateral paediatric trigger thumb were examined with measurements taken within 1 month before surgery, and at 3 months after surgery. We measured the dorsal-palmar (DP) diameter, radioulnar (RU) diameter and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon at two sites: just proximal to the A1 pulley and underneath the A1 pulley using ultrasonography. Following surgical A1 pulley release, the DP diameter, RU diameter and CSA of the FPL tendon just proximal to the A1 pulley significantly decreased from 2.6 mm to 2.2 mm, from 5.1 mm to 4.2 mm and from 11 mm 2 to 7.8 mm 2 , respectively. Additionally, the RU diameter and CSA of the FPL tendon at the area beneath the A1 pulley significantly increased from 2.2 mm to 3.2 mm and from 4.3 mm 2 to 5.8 mm 2 , respectively. This finding suggests that the conformation of the FPL tendon of the affected thumb tends to return to that of the contralateral uninvolved thumb after A1 pulley release. Underdevelopment of the inner space around the A1 pulley may contribute to the development of paediatric trigger thumb. Level of evidence: III., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objective: Trigger finger is one of the most common pathologies of the finger flexor mechanism. Previous studies have shown the value of ultrasound-guided percutaneous tenolysis. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of anterograde versus retrograde percutaneous ultrasound-guided tenolysis., Materials and Methods: This was a comparative cadaver study performed between December 2021 and April 2022 in France, with 40 fresh cadaver fingers. Thumbs were excluded. A single surgeon performed 20 ultrasound-guided anterograde releases and 20 ultrasound-guided retrograde releases, using a second-generation minimally invasive surgical knife, and a multipurpose linear ultrasound transducer. The primary endpoint was the success of ultrasound-guided release, defined as complete opening of the A1 pulley along its entire length., Results: The success rate was 90% in the retrograde group and 95% in the anterograde group (non-significant difference: p = 0.56). There was no significant difference in superficial flexor tendon slip injuries or partial A2 pulley injuries. There were no neurovascular pedicle lesions., Conclusion: The choice of anterograde or retrograde ultrasound-guided tenolysis should be left to the surgeon's discretion., (Copyright © 2023 SFCM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Aim: This study aimed to use high-frequency ultrasound guidance to compare the efficacy of percutaneous release combined with intra-tendon sheath injection (PR-ITSI) and percutaneous release only (PR-ONLY) in the treatment of adult trigger finger (TF) patients., Materials and Methods: A total of 48 patients were randomly divided into PR-ITSI group and PR-ONLY group. The thickness of the A1 pulley was measured prior to surgery and 1-year after surgery. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale score of affected fingers were evaluated at 1 day, 1 month, and 1 year after surgery., Results: The overall difference of VAS score between the two groups after treatment was statistically significant (p<0.001), while the VAS scores gradually decreased in both groups at different time-points after treatment. The VAS scores in the PR-ITSI group at 1 day and 1 month after surgery were 1.475 and 0.904 (p<0.001), respectively, which were lower than those in the PR-ONLY group. Different treatment methods had no effect on the VAS score at 1 year after surgery (p=0.055). The thickness of the A1 pulley at 1 year after surgery was lower than that before surgery (p<0.001), whereas there was no significant difference in A1 pulley thickness between the two groups (p=0.095). The rate of PGI-I scale improvement by one grade at 1 day, 1 month, and 1 year after surgery in the PR-ITSI group was 15.322 times (95%CI: 4.466-52.573, p<0.001), 14.807 times (95%CI: 2.931-74.799, p=0.001), and 15.557 times (95%CI: 1.119-216.307, p=0.041), respectively, than that in the PR-ONLY group., Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided PR-ITSI is superior to PR-ONLY in the VAS score and PGI-I scale for adult TF patients.

Background: Trigger finger is a common disease with a lifetime prevalence of 2%. One of the frequently preferred non-surgical treatments is blinded injection around the A1 pulley. This study aims to compare the clinical results of ultrasound-guided and blinded corticosteroid injection in the trigger finger., Methods: In this prospective clinical study, 66 patients who had persistent symptoms of a single trigger finger were included. Patients with similar baseline characteristics such as age, gender, triggering period, and comorbidities were randomized. 34 patients had ultrasound-guided (UG), and 32 had blinded injections (BG). QDASH, VAS, time to return to work, and complications were compared between the groups., Results: The mean age was 52,66 (29-73) years. There were 18 male and 48 female patients. In the UG, the triggering resolved faster, returning to work was earlier, and the medication period was shorter (p < 0.05). A total of 17 patients who had diabetes mellitus received re-injections, 11 of which were in BG and 6 in UG (p < 0.05). Although statistically significantly lower scores were obtained in UG at the 1st and 4th weeks in the QDASH and VAS scores (p < 0.05), at the 12th and 24 weeks, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05)., Conclusion: Using ultrasound guidance for corticosteroid injections is more effective for treating trigger fingers than the blinded method, leading to better results and a faster return to work in the early stages of treatment., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objectives: We compared an ultra-minimally invasive ultrasound-guided percutaneous A1 pulley release and a classic open surgery for trigger digit., Methods: We designed a single-center randomized control trial. All cases had clinical signs of primary grade III trigger digit. Concealed allocation (1:1) was used for assigning patients to each group and data collectors were blinded. The Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick-DASH) questionnaire was our primary variable. Quick-DASH, two-point discrimination, grip strength, time until stopping analgesics, having full digital range of motion and restarting everyday activities were registered on the 1st, 3rd, and 6th weeks, 3rd and 6th months, and 1st year after the procedure., Results: We randomized 84 patients to ultrasound-guided release and classic open surgery. Quick-DASH scores significantly favored the percutaneous technique until the 3rd month: 7.6 ± 1.2 versus 15.3 ± 2.4 (mean ± standard error of the mean). The percutaneous group obtained significantly better results in all the variables studied: time until stopping analgesics, achieving full range of motion and restarting everyday activities. Grip strength was significantly better in the percutaneous group for the 1st week only. Five cases of moderate local pain were observed in the open technique. There was one case of transient nerve numbness per group., Conclusions: The ultra-minimally invasive ultrasound-guided A1 pulley release was clinically superior to the classic open surgery in functional recovery with a lower complication rate., (© 2022 American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.)

Background: Trigger thumb is a pathologic condition of the digital pulleys and flexor tendons. To find a cutoff value of the cross-sectional area ratio of specific parts of the flexor pollicis longus tendon to diagnosis trigger thumb in the high-frequency ultrasound examination., Methods: We evaluated 271 healthy volunteers and 57 patients with clinical diagnosis of trigger thumb. The cross-sectional area of the metacarpophalangeal joint of flexor pollicis longus tendon (C1) and the cross-sectional area of the midpoint of the first metacarpal of flexor pollicis longus tendon (C2) were analyzed., Results: There is no difference between gender, age and left and right hands in the ratio of C1 to C2 (C1/ C2). The mean of C1/ C2 in the healthy thumb was 0.983 ± 0.103, which was significantly smaller in comparison to the diseased thumb (P < 0.05). Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve, we chose the diagnostic cut-off value for the C1/ C2 to be 1.362 and 1.153 in order to differ a trigger thumb from children and adults., Conclusions: The C1/ C2 of the healthy thumb was relatively stable, with a mean value of 0.983 ± 0.103. The cutoff value of C1/C2 to distinguish healthy thumb from diseased thumb in children and adults were 1.362 and 1.153, respectively., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: The aim of this randomised prospective study is to compare the outcomes of traditional open trigger digit release versus ultrasound-guided modified small needle-knife (SNK) percutaneous release in the treatment of trigger digits. Methods: Patients with grade 2 and above trigger digits were enrolled into the study and randomly assigned to traditional open surgery (OS) or ultrasound-guided modified SNK percutaneous release group. The patients were followed up for 7, 30 and 180 days after treatment and data with regard to visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Quinnell grading (QG) was collected and compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 72 patients were enrolled in the study with 30 in the OS group and 42 in the SNK group. VAS scores and QG of the two groups significantly decreased at 7 days and 30 days after treatment compared to before treatment, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. There was also no differences between the two groups at 180 days and between the values at 30 days and 180 days. Conclusions: The outcomes of ultrasound-guided SNK percutaneous release is similar to traditional OS. Level of Evidence: Level II (Therapeutic).

Case: Trigger finger (TF), or stenosing synovitis, is a common condition that can usually be diagnosed by physical examination. We recently operated on a patient with TF who did not respond to conservative treatment. At surgery, we found an anomalous insertion of the fourth lumbrical muscle to the A1 pulley. This insertion was observed to cause mechanical narrowing of the pulley due to a pulling effect by the muscle, which was relieved by resection., Conclusion: Although rare, the operating surgeon should be aware that local anatomical anomalies, such as insertion of a lumbrical into the A1 pulley, can be a cause of trigger finger., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article (http://links.lww.com/JBJSCC/C5)., (Copyright © 2023 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated.)

Background: There are few reports of trigger wrist in the literature, as it is a rare pathology. Furthermore, various authors report that it is also hard to diagnose. It manifests with neurological symptoms at the affected wrist, which are usually induced by wrist movement, and can lead to partial or full loss of wrist function and sensitivity. The reason for reporting this specific case is that it was hard to differentiate between trigger finger and trigger wrist by clinical symptoms; no pathology was palpable or clearly seen on magnetic resonance imaging scan of the wrist. We propose a new diagnostic statement relative to this pathology., Case Presentation: A case of a 45-year-old white slavic man with trigger wrist associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by a fibroma of the flexor tendon sheath, is reported. Despite careful clinical examination, it was not possible to differentiate between trigger finger and trigger wrist. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to arrive at the right diagnosis but did not reveal any pathology in the wrist area. Carpal tunnel release was performed with a fibroma identified and excised. Wrist function was maintained well; no signs of carpal tunnel syndrome were seen at last follow-up., Conclusions: Trigger wrist can be misdiagnosed as trigger finger even if adequate clinical evaluation is performed, and this can lead to inadequate treatment. We state that, when clinical symptoms of both trigger wrist and trigger finger are present, except painful palpation of the A-1 pulley region, the case should be referred to as trigger wrist., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of A1 pulley release using the needle technique, under ultrasound guidance, in patients with symptomatic trigger finger., Methods: All patients with symptomatic trigger finger underwent A1 pulley release using an intramuscular 21 gauge (G) needle. Quinnell grade (I-IV), Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder & Hand (QuickDASH) score (0-100) and pain score on a visual analog scale (VAS: 0-10mm) were recorded at inclusion. The primary endpoint was complete resolution of the trigger finger at 6 months., Results: Eighty-four patients totaling 105 treated digits were included. Mean age was 63.3±10.7 years. Prior to treatment, mean VAS pain score was 5.8±2.6mm, and mean QuickDASH score was 44.3±19.1. At 6 months, disappearance of symptoms was achieved in 85 of 91 digits with follow-up (93.4%), and in 85.7% at 12 months. The absolute reduction in VAS pain and QuickDASH scores at 6 months was respectively 4.1±3.1 (P<0.001) and 36.1±20.7 (P<0.001), and 90% of patients reported being satisfied or very satisfied at 6 months. Long duration of symptoms was significantly associated with persistent trigger finger at 6 months after intervention. Complications were rare and minor. Tenosynovitis occurred in 5.7% of cases, for which a corticosteroid injection into the tendon sheath rapidly led to favorable resolution., Conclusion: Treatment of trigger finger by release of the A1 pulley under ultrasound guidance using the needle technique is a mildly invasive technique that yields rapid and effective symptom resolution with good tolerance up to 12 months., (Copyright © 2022 Société française de rhumatologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The present study aimed to evaluate conformational changes in the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon and inner space of the A1 pulley during spontaneous resolution of pediatric trigger thumb (PTT) and to compare them versus the normal contralateral side. We enrolled 36 patients with unilateral PTT who underwent ultrasonography twice between January 2016 and July 2020 and showed >10° improvement in thumb interphalangeal (IP) joint extension lag. Ultrasonography was used to measure the anteroposterior (AP) and radioulnar (RU) diameters of the FPL tendon proximal to the A1 pulley and of the inner space of the A1 pulley. On the side of the PTT, the average extension lag in the thumb IP joint significantly improved, from 35.6° to 14.2°. The AP and RU diameters of the FPL tendon increased by 0.3% and 1.9%, respectively, and those of the inner space of the A1 pulley increased by 15.3% and 5.0%, respectively. In the contralateral normal thumb, the AP and RU diameters of the FPL tendon increased by 12% and 9.3%, respectively, and those in the inner space of the A1 pulley increased by 9.9% and 4.6%. During improvement in IP joint extension lag, the mismatch between the enlarged FPL tendon and the inner space of the A1 pulley was reduced by their asymmetric growth., (Copyright © 2022 SFCM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Open surgical trigger finger release has limited success and the risk of complications; however, percutaneous techniques offer a successful alternative. There is limited understanding of the success of percutaneous trigger finger release., Objective: To prospectively evaluate the functional outcomes of patients with Green classification Grade 2 to 4 trigger finger treated with an ultrasound-guided microinvasive trigger finger release using a special 18-gauge needle with a blade at the tip., Design: Prospective, case-series study., Setting: This study took place at an academic institution by one sports medicine physician (R.E.C.) with subspecialty training and certification in musculoskeletal ultrasound., Patients: Sixty patients (79 cases) met criteria and agreed to participate in this study; 19 patients had multiple fingers treated. Average patient age was 62.8 years (SD 10.2). Average trigger finger severity diagnosis was Grade 3., Interventions: Patients were treated with an ultrasound-guided microinvasive trigger finger release using a special 18-gauge needle with a blade at the tip., Main Outcome Measurements: Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH), numerical rating scale (NRS), and Nirschl scores were captured preprocedure, at various time points, and at final follow-up. Changes between preprocedure and final follow-up were analyzed by paired t test (p < .05). Differences were also analyzed between finger, grade level, and gender by repeated measures analyses of variance (p < .05)., Results: No adverse events were documented perioperatively or postoperatively. Average follow-up time was 18.4 months (SD 4.6). At final follow-up, 100% of patients reported no recurrence of catching/locking, 97% had complete resolution of symptoms and significant improvement in QuickDASH scores, and 99% required no further treatment. All measurements showed a decrease in pain and symptoms over time. The improvements in QuickDASH score, NRS, and Nirschl scale and the resolution of mechanical symptoms were all statistically significant., Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided release using the 18-gauge needle with a blade provides significant functional improvement and full resolution of mechanical symptoms with minimal adverse events., (© 2021 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.)

Background: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of ultrasonography-guided needle release of A1 pulley combined with corticosteroid injection by comparing it with ultrasound-guided needle release of the A1 pulley alone., Methods: A total of 49 patients (55 fingers, thumb) with trigger fingers were included in this retrospective study. Twenty-seven fingers were treated with ultrasound-guided needle release of the A1 pulley alone (monotherapy group), and 28 fingers were treated with needle release of the A1 pulley combined with corticosteroid injection (combination group). Visual analog scale (VAS), Froimson scale, postoperative recurrence rate, and thickness of A1 pulley at baseline, Week-2, Week-12, and Month-6 were recorded., Results: Higher clinical cure rates were observed in the combination group at Week-2 after treatment among patients with the Froimson scale Grade III and IV (p < 0.05). Among Froimson scale Grade IV patients, the combination group had a significantly thinner thickness of A1 pulley and better articular pain relief at Week-2 (all p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the clinical cure rate, the thickness of the A1 pulley, articular pain relief, and recurrence rate between the two groups at Week-12 and Month-6 (all p > 0.05)., Conclusions: Ultrasonography-guided needle release of A1 pulley plus corticosteroid injection was superior to ultrasonography-guided A1 pulley needle release alone during early-stage treatment of severe patients with trigger fingers. Moreover, ultrasonography-guided A1 pulley needle release combined with corticosteroid injection narrows the thickness of the A1 pulley. It is necessary to carry out preoperative evaluation and individualized treatment for patients of various severities., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Triggering of the finger at the A1 pulley is one of the most frequent pathologies encountered in hand surgery and a common cause of hand pain. Open release of the A1 pulley is currently still regarded as the golden-standard procedure. Nevertheless, there is an increasing interest in minimally invasive percutaneous techniques for the treatment of this condition. Current techniques range from percutaneous needle techniques without imaging, to the use of hook knives, with ultrasound guidance. Because of concerns about possible complications or incomplete releases, hand surgeons remain wary. The objective of this study was to introduce a new ultrasound-guided percutaneous surgical technique for trigger finger release, using a second-generation minimally invasive surgical knife. In this series of 78 releases, complete resolution of the symptoms was found in 98.7% of the cases. One recurrence of triggering was observed. There were no tendon injuries, infections, or neurovascular lesions recorded. This paper contains technical pearls and possible pitfalls to ensure the surgeon of a complete release and to avoid complications. A video of the technique was also included as Supplemental Digital Content (http://links.lww.com/BTH/A143). We can conclude that the procedure can be considered as safe and highly effective for the treatment of triggering at the A1 pulley., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: O.M. is a consultant for Newclip. For the remaining authors none were declared., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The interventional use of sonography is growing fast, and percutaneous sonographically guided release is more and more used as minimally invasive treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome as well as trigger finger digit. The benefits of these procedures seem promising in clinical studies, but biomechanical studies comparing these procedures with open classical surgery are scarce. Minimally invasive releases of carpal tunnel and trigger finger could limit the phenomenon of tendon bowstringing observed after open surgery. A new model is presented to compare the biomechanical effects of open and sono-guided carpal tunnel and trigger finger releases., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: An open approach is the gold standard for trigger finger (TF) release. However, this may be associated with infection and scar tenderness. Percutaneous trigger release is an alternative, but this can sometimes result in incomplete release and digital nerve injury, even with ultrasound (US) guidance. Limited-open TF release is an intermediate technique that uses a specially designed knife via a 2-3 mm incision. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of blinded versus US-guided limited-open TF release using the Yasunaga knife (Medical U&A, Inc., Japan). Methods: About 138 fingers in 111 patients underwent limited-open TF release using the Yasunaga knife. Green classification was used to grade the severity of TF. Thirty-one patients had grade 3 TF and 80 patients had grade 4 TF. The TF was released in a blinded fashion in 60 patients and using US guidance in 51 patients. Outcome measures included residual triggering, contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint, visual analog scale (VAS) for assessment of pain, Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, and the Patel and Moradia grading of patient satisfaction. Complications were also recorded. Results: Six patients had residual triggering in the blinded group, whereas it resolved in all patients in the US-guided group. This difference was statistically significant ( p = 0.03). Patients in both groups showed significant improvement in VAS and Quick DASH score postoperatively. There were no significant differences between the two groups for these two outcomes. Patient satisfaction was graded as excellent by 20 patients and good by 30 patients in the US-guided group compared to eight excellent and 45 good in the blinded group. Conclusion: The incidence of residual triggering was lower and overall satisfaction higher in patients who underwent US-guided limited-open TF release using the Yasunaga knife. Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic).

We performed a detailed dynamic high-resolution ultrasound examination of the flexor tendons in trigger fingers and compared this with normal contralateral digits. There was a loss of defined linear tendon margins and/or traction of the flexor tendons on the surrounding soft tissue during passive flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint in 17 out of 20 trigger fingers, which indicated adherence to the surrounding tissues. The differential motion between the flexor digitorum profundus tendon and the flexor digitorum superficialis tendons was also lost in ten trigger fingers, which suggested adherence between the tendons. No signs of peritendinous or intertendinous adhesions were found in the healthy control fingers. We conclude that tendon adhesions are present in the majority of trigger fingers. We could not determine a relationship between the severity of triggering and the presence of adherence due to limited sample size. Level of evidence: II.

Introduction: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous first annular pulley (A1) release is a non-surgical management for the treatment of trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis. Trigger finger occurs secondary to inflammation and retinacular sheath hypertrophy with subsequent restriction of the flexor tendons. Trigger finger can have a marked functional impact, with current conservative measures including steroids and/or splinting, and surgical therapy involving open release., Methods: A population of 20 adult patients with ultrasound proven trigger finger underwent percutaneous release with refined technique. Patients with additional ultrasound proven tenosynovitis received steroid injection., Results: Of the 20 cases, 18 cases involved the fingers, 2 cases involved the thumb and 14 cases had additional tenosynovitis. All procedures involving the fingers were well tolerated with initial symptomatic and functional relief. At 1-week post-intervention, 2 finger cases without concurrent steroid injection represented with pain but not triggering. Cases which did not receive concurrent steroid injection described post-procedural pain requiring oral analgesia. One case involving the thumb was complicated by no relief with a mild radial digital nerve neuropraxia, with near complete resolution at 6 weeks. The second thumb case reported only partial relief of triggering., Conclusion: US-guided percutaneous release of the A1 pulley is an effective procedure in achieving at least short-term resolution of trigger finger. It is best reserved for fingers due to the challenging anatomy of the thumb., (© 2021 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.)

Background: Isometric exercises for a flexed finger have been reported to be effective for treating trigger finger as the flexor tendon widens the space under the first annular (A1) pulley towards the palmar destination during the exercise. This study aimed to evaluate the structural changes during the A1 pulley stretch in healthy volunteers and patients with trigger finger using ultrasonography., Methods: We enrolled 25 male and 14 female patients (39 middle fingers). The thickness of the subcutaneous tissue (parameter a), A1 pulley (parameter b), and the flexor tendon (parameter c) and the distance between the dorsal surface of the flexor tendon and the palmar surface of the metacarpal head (parameter d) were measured using ultrasonography of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the middle finger flexed at 45° at rest (pattern A) and under isometric contraction of the flexor tendon against an extension force of the proximal interphalangeal joint (pattern B)., Results: The average differences between patterns A and B in the healthy volunteers were 0.29 mm (parameter a; P = 0.02), 0.017 mm (parameter b; P = 0.63), 0.16 (parameter c; P = 0.26), and 0.41 (parameter d; P = 0.004), and those in patients with trigger finger were 0.22 mm (parameter a; P = 0.23), 0.019 mm (parameter b; P = 0.85), 0.03 mm (parameter c; P = 0.82), and 0.78 mm (parameter d; P < 0.001). The distance between the dorsal side of the A1 pulley and the palmar surface of the metacarpal head was also significantly increased by 0.57 mm (8.2%) in healthy volunteers (P < 0.001) and 0.81 mm (11%) in patients with trigger finger (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: In this study, the space under the A1 pulley was expanded under isometric contraction of the flexor tendon. These findings support the effectiveness of pulley stretch exercises for the trigger finger condition.

Objective: To investigate A1 pulley thickness of flexor tendon in healthy volunteers and to analyze its influence factors., Methods: The study included 90 healthy volunteers and the A1 pulley thickness at bilateral fingers was measured using high frequency ultrasound. The following parameters were recorded for each participant: age, gender, weight, height, body mass index (BMI)., Results: High-frequency ultrasound can clearly show A1 pulley. There was no significant difference in A1 pulley thickness between the bilateral fingers ( P >0.05). A1 pulley thickness was significantly different in different fingers ( P <0.05). Further comparison showed that A1 pulley thickness could be divided into two subsets: thumb and little finger ((0.196±0.051) mm), index, middle and ring fingers ((0.230±0.055) mm). A1 pulley thickness was positively correlated with age ( r =0.468, P <0.001). The normal reference ranges for thumb and little finger were 0.09-0.23 mm, 0.12-0.30 mm and 0.12-0.32 mm, respectively. The normal reference ranges for index, middle and ring fingers were 0.11-0.27 mm, 0.15-0.35 mm and 0.17-0.35 mm in volunteers aged 3-19 yr., 20-49 yr., and ≥50 yr., respectively. Gender and BMI had negligible impact on A1 pulley thickness ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: High-frequency ultrasound can clearly show and measure A1 pulley. Site and age should be taken into account when determining the reference range of normal A1 pulley thickness. High-frequency ultrasound can be a quantitative evaluation method for A1 pulley lesions., (Copyright© by Editorial Board of Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences).)

Objective: Trigger finger at the A1 pulley is a common cause of hand pain leading to functional limitations. This study evaluated the outcomes of patients treated with a microinvasive ultrasound-guided trigger finger release technique using an 18 blade and described three tests that confirm a complete release., Design: A retrospective chart review and cross-sectional study of 46 cases of A1 pulley trigger finger releases in 28 patients performed at a private, sports medicine clinic using this technique were completed, meeting power criteria. The primary outcome measure was the resolution of mechanical catching/locking; secondary outcome measures were reduction in visual analog scale for pain and improvement of function in the modified Nirschl scale., Results: Complete release was achieved in all patients, with no recurrence of catching/locking during the first year (P < 0.0001). Ninety-eight percent of patients had significant pain and functional improvement (P < 0.0001). There were no complications perioperatively and postoperatively. The three confirmatory tests ensured that all cases obtained a successful outcome., Conclusion: This technique combined with confirmatory tests resulted in full resolution of the locking for all patients and statistically significant reduction in pain and improvement in function.

Tendinopathies in the hand and wrist are common in athletes. This article reviews some of the common hand and wrist conditions, such as trigger digits, first dorsal compartment tendonitis, and extensor carpi ulnaris tendonitis. In addition, it reviews less commonly seen tendon conditions of the flexor carpi radialis and ulnaris, intersection syndrome, and extensor pollicis entrapment conditions. Diagnosis, nonoperative and operative treatment, and postoperative recommendations and return to play are also discussed., Competing Interests: Disclosure There are no financial conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Pediatric trigger thumb is a common reason for toddlers to present to a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon. There is controversy over the precise etiology and optimal treatment method. Current accepted diagnostic and treatment algorithms in children have not varied based on etiology. This report describes the clinical presentation and care of a 3-year-old child with pediatric trigger thumb and surgical findings of a large flexor tendon sheath ganglion at the level of the annular pulley with no apparent nodule within the FPL. The potential implications for consideration of etiology in current diagnostic and treatment guidelines are discussed.

Background: A1 pulley stretching is recognized as a clinically beneficial treatment for trigger finger. It is thought to lead to an increase in the cross-sectional area of the A1 pulley luminal region, thus improving trigger finger symptoms. The purpose of the present study was thus to evaluate the resultant forces during stretching that increase the CSA of the A1 pulley luminal region using fresh-frozen cadavers., Methods: Using seven fingers from three fresh-frozen cadavers to replicate A1 pulley stretching, we investigated the resultant forces during stretching that increase the cross-sectional area of the A1 pulley luminal region. The traction forces of the flexor digitorum profundus tendons were increased in steps to 150 N, and the cross-sectional area and height of the A1 pulley luminal region were measured using ultrasonography., Findings: The cross-sectional area of the A1 pulley luminal region increased with step-wise increases in the flexor digitorum profundus traction. On average, the cross-sectional area and height of the A1 pulley luminal region showed increases of 31.4% and 43.6%, respectively, compared to the unloaded condition., Interpretation: These results confirmed that A1 pulley stretching increases the cross-sectional area of the A1 pulley luminal region. A1 pulley stretching has the potential to reduce the severity of trigger finger in patients facing surgery., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Nothing to declare regarding the current study., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to compare demographic differences and ultrasonographic features in primary trigger finger and trigger finger in association with hyperuricemia., Methods: Between October 2008 and February 2010, a prospective review of consecutive cases of 54 patients with trigger finger and hyperuricemia, 76 patients with a trigger finger without hyperuricemia, and 80 control cases were enrolled. The clinical results were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology, an ultrasonographic measurement of the thickness of A1 pulley, cross-sectional area of the flexor tendon and synovium., Results: The middle finger was primarily affected, followed by the index and ring fingers in both trigger finger groups. The thickness of A1 pulley, cross-sectional area of the flexor tendon, and flexor tendon with synovium in trigger finger without hyperuricemia group were significantly larger than that in trigger finger with hyperuricemia and control groups. There was no significant difference between trigger finger with hyperuricemia and control groups. Double-contour sign and tophus were only observed in trigger finger with hyperuricemia group., Conclusions: Thickness of A1 pulley, cross-sectional area of the flexor tendon, and flexor tendon with synovium were significantly larger in trigger finger without hyperuricemia group. These findings were not evident in trigger finger with hyperuricemia group.

Objective: To compare the clinical effectiveness of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection with and without needle release of the A1 pulley in treating trigger finger., Methods: A total of 60 patients with trigger finger were enrolled in this retrospective study. Among them, 30 patients were treated with ultrasound-guided needle release of the A1 pulley with corticosteroid injection (group A) and 30 patients were treated with single ultrasound-guided corticosteroids injection (group B). The following parameters were evaluated including clinical parameters (pain degree, function of joint, finger tendon function, postoperative satisfaction), and ultrasound parameter (thickness of A1 pulley)., Results: The postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) and Quinnell scores in two groups were significantly lower than that before operation (p < 0.05). The postoperative Quinnell score of group A was significantly lower than that in group B (p < 0.05). The TAM results showed that the postoperative overall excellent and good rate of group A was significantly higher than that in group B (p < 0.05). The postoperative survey showed that more than 80% patients reported satisfaction in the two groups. The ultrasound imaging results showed that the postoperative thickness of A1 pulley in two groups were thinner than that before operation (p < 0.05). There were no adverse effects and complications in the two groups., Conclusions: Both approaches had treatment benefit in trigger finger. Ultrasound-guided needle release of the A1 pulley with corticosteroid injection had better treatment benefits than single ultrasound-guided corticosteroids injection in improving finger tendon function and joint function.

Trigger finger is a common pathologic condition of the digital pulleys and flexor tendons in the hand. The key clinical finding is a transient blockage of the digit when it is flexed with subsequent painful snapping when it is extended. Imaging is a helpful guide for establishing the severity of the disease, identifying the underlying cause, and deciding the appropriate management. This narrative review aims to recall the anatomic and pathologic bases and describe the ultrasound features of trigger finger, also including common ultrasound findings and complications after therapy. Ultrasound enables an accurate static and dynamic evaluation of trigger finger as well as a comparison with the adjacent normal digits and thus should be considered the radiologic modality of first choice for its diagnosis., (© 2019 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between hypervascularization of the first annular (A1) pulley on color Doppler imaging of trigger finger and patients' backgrounds., Methods: A total of 148 trigger digits from 144 patients were studied with ultrasound at the time of initial diagnosis. We observed the A1 pulley at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joint in a transverse image and noted the presence or absence of a signal in the A1 pulley on color Doppler imaging. Patients' ages, sexes, clinical grades, symptom durations, prevalence of interphalangeal joint contracture, and visual analog scale pain scores were compared between the groups with positive and negative Doppler findings., Results: The 144 patients included 45 men and 99 women. Sixty-one of 148 digits (41%) showed positive Doppler findings in the A1 pulley. Patients' ages and visual analog scale scores in the Doppler-positive group were slightly greater than those in the Doppler-negative group (P = .03; P < .01, respectively). The digit with positive Doppler findings tended to be categorized into a severer grade and into the group with a shorter symptom duration (P < .01 for both)., Conclusions: Hypervascularization of the A1 pulley tended to appear in an earlier period after the patients had become aware of symptoms, as frequently as their symptoms became severe, in conjunction with higher pain scores. Doppler imaging of the A1 pulley might help in better understanding patients' conditions., (© 2019 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.)

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the cross-sectional area (CSA) of flexor digitorum tendons and the thickness of first annular (A1) pulleys between contralateral normal digits and trigger digits (TDs) at positions of finger flexion and extension using a noninvasive ultrasound system., Methods: Seventeen affected fingers of 17 patients (6 men and 11 women) with TDs in one hand, and 17 contralateral normal digits without trigger finger symptoms were examined. The sonographic appearances of flexor digitorum tendons and A1 pulleys were observed at two positions of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint flexion: 0° and 60°., Results: The findings of this study indicate that CSA of flexor digitorum tendons and A1 pulley thickness were significantly larger in both positions of 0° and 60° flexion of MCP joint compared with contralateral normal digits (p < 0.01). In TDs, there was a significantly thicker A1 pulley at 60° flexion of MCP joint than that at 0° flexion (p < 0.01), but no significant change on CSA of flexor tendons., Conclusion: Our results suggested that TDs lead to the thicker A1 pulley and larger CSA of the flexor digitorum tendons. The mismatch in volume change between CSA of flexor digitorum tendons and A1 pulley thickness during MCP flexion may lead to the trigger phenomenon.

Locked thumb metacarpophalangeal joint caused by entrapment of the sesamoid bone is an uncommon entity. The intact volar plate, strong ligamentous attachment between the sesamoid bone and the joint, and altered axis of inserted muscle all contribute to failure of closed reduction. The patient's history, clinical presentation, and plain radiographic findings are all important clues to diagnosing this rare disease. We describe 2 patients with a similar mechanism of injury, where the sesamoid bones were displaced into the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint causing lock thumb. The anatomy, pathophysiology, and surgical management of the patients are also described and discussed. Both patients were successfully treated with meticulous open reduction.

The trigger finger release was performed in 34 digits (11 thumbs and 23 fingers) of 24 patients through the thread transecting technique with the tip-to-tip approach, in which a 22-gauge needle inserts into a 18-gauge needle when both needles are inside the hand, guiding the 22-gauge needle to exit the hand at the same access point of 18-gauge needle. We prospectively evaluated the effectiveness and functional recovery of these patients. In all 34 digits, triggering and locking were resolved, and complete extension and flexion occurred immediately following the release. There were no complications, such as incomplete release, neurovascular or flexor tendon or A2 pulley injury, infection, or tendon bow-stringing. Patients did not require prescription pain medications. Most patients used their hands to meet their basic living needs the same day of the procedure. The hand function evaluated with the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, and scored 4 within 3 months. Level of evidence: II.

We aimed to inspect bowstringing after percutaneous and open release of the A1 pulley for trigger digits and its influence on hand function. Sixty-two patients with a resistant trigger digit were randomized to undergo either open release or percutaneous release of the A1 pulley. We quantified bowstringing of the digit using ultrasonography preoperatively and at 12 and 24 weeks after surgery. Pain on a visual analog scale; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; pinch power; and grip strength were assessed. Bowstringing was significantly increased at 12 weeks after surgery in both groups, and the mean value of the open release group was significantly greater than that of the percutaneous group (2.30 ± 0.58 mm vs 1.46 ± 0.51 mm, respectively; P = 0.035). However, the bowstringing was decreased at 24 weeks without showing significant difference between the 2 groups. The clinical outcomes of each cohort improved significantly, with no difference between the groups at final follow-up. No association was found between bowstringing and any clinical outcome measure. Bowstringing occurred by A1 pulley release with either the percutaneous or open technique does not affect clinical hand function in patients with trigger fingers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the results of blind versus ultrasonography-guided percutaneous A1 pulley release for treatment of trigger finger., Methods: This prospective study included 21 patients (25 fingers) who underwent blind release and 20 patients (23 fingers) who underwent ultrasonography-guided release. The visual analog scale (VAS) score, proximal interphalangeal joint contracture, complications, and patient satisfaction were compared between the groups., Results: At the final follow-up, triggering had disappeared in all patients who underwent ultrasonography-guided release, whereas three patients who underwent blind release required revision surgery for postoperative triggering. No complications were observed. VAS score was significantly different between groups at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively. All patients who underwent ultrasonography-guided release were satisfied, whereas three patients who underwent blind release were not satisfied., Conclusion: Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous A1 pulley release for treatment of trigger finger reduces postoperative pain and complications, such as incomplete release, compared with a blind procedure.

Background: After the thread transecting technique was successfully applied for the thread carpal tunnel release, we researched using the same technique in the thread trigger finger release (TTFR). This study was designed to test the operational feasibility of the TTFR on cadavers and verify the limits of division on the first annular (A1) pulley to ensure a complete trigger finger release with minimal iatrogenic injuries., Methods: The procedure of TTFR was performed on 14 fingers and 4 thumbs of 4 unembalmed cadaveric hands. After the procedures, all fingers and thumbs were dissected and visually assessed., Results: All of the digits and thumbs demonstrated a complete A1 pulley release. There was no injury to the neurovascular bundle (radial digital nerve in case of thumb), flexor tendon, or A2 pulley for each case., Conclusions: The cadaveric study showed that the technique of TTFR was safe and effective, and the future clinical study is necessary to verify the findings of this study.

Purpose: Pediatric trigger thumb is regarded as an acquired condition characterized by flexion deformity of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb. However, the exact etiology and pathoanatomy of this condition remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cross-sectional configurations of the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon and the area under the A1 pulley quantitatively using ultrasonography., Methods: In this study we enrolled 43 patients, 23 boys and 20 girls, with unilateral pediatric trigger thumb. We measured the anteroposterior (AP) diameter, radioulnar diameter, and cross-sectional area of the FPL tendon at the level of the greatest AP diameter of the FPL tendon proximal to the A1 pulley and those of the inner dimensions of the A1 pulley using ultrasonography. The measurements were repeated on the contralateral side. Average age at the time of the measurements was 32 months., Results: Average AP and radioulnar measurements of the FPL tendon were 13% and 55% larger than those of the inner dimensions of the A1 pulley in the trigger thumb. The average AP measurement in the area under the A1 pulley was notably larger in the trigger thumb than on the normal side., Conclusions: Using ultrasonographic measurements, we were able to identify enlargement of the FPL tendon proximal to the A1 pulley in the symptomatic thumb, compared with the area under the A1 pulley in the symptomatic thumb or FPL tendon on the contralateral side. Developmental mismatch between the FPL tendon and the area under the A1 pulley is a possible cause of pediatric trigger thumb., Type of Study/level of Evidence: Diagnostic IV., (Copyright © 2018 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aim: Trigger thumb is a common hand disability in children and is primarily treated with open surgery. A conscious median nerve block can usually meet the requirements for trigger thumb-releasing surgery in adults; however, its effectiveness in children requires further clarification. The present study aims to demonstrate whether ultrasound-guided lower forearm median nerve blockade is a viable option for children undergoing open surgery for trigger thumb., Methods: A prospective randomized study was designed to compare median nerve blocks guided by ultrasonography with those guided by anatomic landmarks. Following induction of general anesthesia, the children received a median nerve block performed either by ultrasound-guided block of the lower forearm (group U) or landmark-based blocking at the proximal wrist crease level (group T) with a 0.2% ropivacaine injection. The success rates were compared between groups as the primary endpoint; additional sufentanil and propofol administration, anesthesia recovery time, and other secondary endpoints were also compared., Results: A total of 100 children (age 1-3 years) with ASA status I who were scheduled for open surgery for trigger thumb were included in this study (n = 50 per group). Thirty-seven children in group T and 50 children in group U underwent successful blocks. The rate of unsuccessful blockade was significantly lower in group U than group T (0% and 26%, respectively), and rate of additional sufentanil and propofol administration was also lower in group U than in group T., Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided lower forearm median nerve block can provide more effective analgesia, a higher success rate, and lower general and local anesthetic dosages than the anatomic landmark-based blocking method in children undergoing open surgery for trigger thumb., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Trigger finger has become a prevalent disease that greatly affects occupational activity and daily life. Ultrasound imaging is commonly used for the clinical diagnosis of trigger finger severity. Due to image property variations, traditional methods cannot effectively segment the finger joint's tendon structure. In this study, an adaptive texture-based active shape model method is used for segmenting the tendon and synovial sheath. Adapted weights are applied in the segmentation process to adjust the contribution of energy terms depending on image characteristics at different positions. The pathology is then determined according to the wavelet and co-occurrence texture features of the segmented tendon area. In the experiments, the segmentation results have fewer errors, with respect to the ground truth, than contours drawn by regular users. The mean values of the absolute segmentation difference of the tendon and synovial sheath are 3.14 and 4.54 pixels, respectively. The average accuracy of pathological determination is 87.14%. The segmentation results are all acceptable in data of both clear and fuzzy boundary cases in 74 images. And the symptom classifications of 42 cases are also a good reference for diagnosis according to the expert clinicians' opinions.

Purpose: Trigger finger is a common condition with a lifetime prevalence of 2%. Corticosteroid injection is a treatment often considered as a first-line intervention with reported cure rates between 60% and 90% in observational cohorts. Nevertheless, open surgery remains the most effective treatment with reported cure rates near 100%. Head-to-head trials on these treatments are limited. We investigated the efficacy of open surgery compared with ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections., Methods: The study was performed as a single-center, randomized, controlled trial with a 1-year follow-up. A total of 165 patients received either open surgery (n = 81) or ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection (n = 84). Follow-up was conducted at 3 and 12 months. If the finger had normal movement or normal movement with discomfort at latest follow-up, the outcome was considered a success. Secondary outcomes were postprocedural pain and complications., Results: The groups were similar at baseline except for lower alcohol consumption in the open surgery group. At 3 months, 86% and 99% were successfully treated after corticosteroid injection and open surgery, respectively. At 12 months, 49% and 99% were considered successfully treated after corticosteroid injection and open surgery, respectively. The pain score at latest follow-up was significantly higher in the corticosteroid injection group. Complications after open surgery were more severe and included 3 superficial infections and 1 iatrogenic nerve lesion. After corticosteroid injection 11 patients experienced a steroid flare and 2 had fat necrosis at the site of injection., Conclusions: Open surgery is superior to ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections. Complications after open surgery are more severe; this must be taken into account when advising patients with regard to treatment., Type of Study/level of Evidence: Therapeutic I., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Chondroma is a relatively rare, but well-reported benign neoplasm. This lesion normally occurs attached to bone; however, they may be rarely found without association to bone and embedded in soft tissue. The authors describe the case of a 76-year-old man in whom flexor tendon triggering was associated with an extraskeletal chondroma between the annular ligament and the flexor tendon., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The trigger finger is characterized by the painful blocking of finger flexor tendons of the hand, while crossing the A1 pulley. It is a rare disease in children and, when present, is usually located in the thumb, and does not have any defined cause. Methods: We report 2 pediatric trigger finger cases affecting the long digits of the hand that were caused by an osteochondroma located at the proximal phalanx. Both children held the diagnosis of juvenile multiple osteochondromatosis. They had presented at the initial visit with a painful finger blocking. Surgical approach was decided with wide regional exposure, as compared with the trigger finger traditional surgical techniques, with the opening of the A1 pulley and the initial portion of the A2 pulley, along with bone tumor resection. Results: Patients evolved uneventfully, and recovered the affected finger motion. Conclusion: It is important to highlight that pediatric trigger finger is a distinct ailment from the adult trigger finger, and also in children is important to differentiate whenever the disease either affects the thumb or the long fingers. A secondary cause shall be sought whenever the long fingers are affected by a trigger finger., Competing Interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objective: No studies have reported the use of ultrasound for the evaluation of trigger finger after steroid injection. We evaluated the clinical features and ultrasound appearance of trigger finger before and after steroid injection under ultrasound guidance., Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight digits with triggering were included. A single steroid injection into the tendon sheath was administered. Ultrasound findings and clinical symptoms, including pain, triggering, and the Quinnell score, were analyzed before injection and at 1 and 3 weeks after injection., Results: Ultrasound indicated that the thickness of the flexor tendons and the thickness of A1 pulleys were significantly greater in the trigger fingers than in controls before steroid injection. Three weeks after injection, these two parameters decreased, and there was no significant difference in the two parameters between the trigger finger and the controls. The visual analogue scales at 1 and 3 weeks after the injection were significantly lower than those before the injection. The Quinnell grading system scores significantly improved at 1 and 3 weeks after injection compared with the scores before injection. Moreover, a tendency was seen for the more clinically severe cases to show more swelling of the tendon and pulley., Conclusion: In conclusion, ultrasound assessments could reveal that the thickened A1 pulley and flexor tendon significantly improved after steroid injection, which enables us to confirm the therapeutic effects of the steroid injection. Therefore, ultrasound assessments can be a useful adjunct to understand the response to treatment with the steroid injection.

Trigger digit and carpal tunnel syndrome are both conditions traditionally treated with open surgery but are potentially amenable to curative treatment using percutaneous techniques. The advantages of minimally invasive techniques are lower risk of wound breakdown and infection, quicker healing, reduced postprocedural pain, reduced complications, and a quicker return to normal activity. The advent of high-resolution ultrasound has allowed percutaneous release procedures for these conditions to be developed and performed with a potential for a reduced risk of complications and an increased likelihood of success. This article reviews the literature as well as our institutional experience in performing ultrasound-guided percutaneous release for trigger digit and carpal tunnel syndrome., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

The aim of this study was to investigate whether differences in corticosteroid injection site influence the therapeutic effect on trigger finger and thickness of local structures such as the A1 pulley and flexor tendons. Previously untreated trigger fingers were randomly assigned to receive either a true intra-sheath (group I) or an extra-sheath (group E) injection under ultrasonographic guidance. Symptom remission and recurrence rates and recurrence timing did not significantly differ between the groups. Ultrasonography revealed mean (standard deviation) pre-injection A1 pulley thicknesses of 1.1 (0.3) and 1.1 (0.2) mm in groups I and E, respectively. One month after injection, these decreased to 0.7 (0.2) and 0.8 (0.2) mm, respectively (p < 0.05). Furthermore, mean (standard) pre-injection flexor digitorum tendon thickness was 4.1 (0.4) and 4.0 (0.5) mm in groups I and E, respectively, and, 1 mo after injection, decreased to 3.9 (0.3) and 3.8 (0.5) mm, respectively (p < 0.05). However, the difference at each time point between the two groups was not statistically significant. True intra-sheath injection offers no apparent advantage over extra-sheath injection for treating trigger fingers because both have the same effect on local structures., (Copyright © 2016 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)