Topical corticosteroid injection for 'trigger finger': good short-term results, but fairly high risk of recurrence
Van Ijsseldijk, A.L.; de Wilt, J.H.; Lameris, T.W.; Brouwer, K.J.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 142(9): 457-459
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 9562759 Document Number: 495840
To determine the short and long term results of trigger fingers treated with a local injection of corticosteroid. Prospective analysis. 'Zuiderziekenhuis', Department of General Surgery, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. In 55 patients with 62 trigger fingers the affected flexor sheath was injected with a long-acting corticosteroid. All patients were followed up for at least one year. With one or two steroid injections 60 of the 62 trigger fingers were treated successfully. During the follow-up period the cumulative recurrence rate was 33% after one year. The treatment of trigger fingers with a local injection of steroids is a simple and safe procedure but the risk of recurrence in the first year is considerable.