Clin Orthop Surg.  2012 Dec;4(4):263-268. 10.4055/cios.2012.4.4.263.

The Efficacy of Steroid Injection in the Treatment of Trigger Finger

• Dala-Ali B
• Nakhdjevani A
• Lloyd MA
• Schreuder

• KMID: 1719293
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/cios.2012.4.4.263

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Trigger finger is one of the most common reasons for referral to a hand specialist clinic. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of steroid injections for treating trigger digits.
METHODS
Ninety digits were investigated with at least a year follow up. The study mainly focused on the efficacy of the injections, as well as co-morbidities, presence of a nodule, actual digit injected and the severity at presentation using Green's classification.
RESULTS
The study found that 66% of trigger digits were effectively treated using steroid injections. There was a difference between the efficacy of the injection in the different digits, with a statistical significance between the thumb and the fingers. The results also showed that there was no statistical relationship between the severity of the condition, the presence of a nodule or co-morbidities and the efficacy of the steroid injections.
CONCLUSIONS
The study found that steroid injections are an effective first-line intervention for the treatment of trigger digit. It also found an increased efficacy for treating the thumb compared to other digits. Both the severity of the condition at presentation and the presence of a nodule had no significant impact on the efficacy of the injections.

Keyword

Digit; Trigger finger; Nodule; Steroid injections

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Humans
Injections
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Steroids/*administration & dosage
Treatment Outcome
Trigger Finger Disorder/*drug therapy

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A bar graph illustrating the efficacy of each steroid injection for treating trigger digits.

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  Fig. 2 A picture and table showing the success of the steroid injections in treating different digits.

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  Fig. 3 Bar graphs illustrating the difference in success of the steroid injection in treating nodular and diffuse patterns of trigger finger.

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  Fig. 4 A graph illustrating the efficacy of steroid injection in treating osteoarthritis and diabetes mellitus.

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