MedPath

Efficacies of Different Managements in Patients With Trigger Finger

Completed
Conditions
Trigger Finger
Interventions
Other: The peritendinous Betamethasone group
Procedure: The percutaneous A1 pulley release
Registration Number
NCT06382623
Lead Sponsor
Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital
Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of peritendinous steroid injection under ultrasound guidance and percutaneous A1 pulley release procedures in terms of disease stage, pain, and severity of locking in patients with trigger finger.

Detailed Description

This study was designed as a randomized, controlled, prospective study. Patients who had been experiencing trigger finger symptoms for at least one month and who presented to the Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital, affiliated with the Health Sciences University Faculty of Medicine

Patients were randomly divided into two groups: the peritendinous steroid group (n=15) and the percutaneous pulley release group (n=15). In the first group, under ultrasound guidance, a mixture of 1 ml corticosteroid (2 mg+5 mg/ml betamethasone) and 1 ml local anesthetic (20 ml 2% prilocaine) was injected peritendinously between the A1 pulley and the flexor tendon sheath. In the second group, a percutaneous A1 pulley release procedure was performed under ultrasound guidance using a 20 G needle, followed by peritendinous injection of the same mixture of corticosteroid and local anesthetic.

Patients were evaluated four times: before treatment, at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment. Modified Quinnel classification, VAS (Visual Analog Scale), and severity of locking scales were used as outcome measures in the study.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • Being over 18 years of age
  • Having had trigger finger complaints for more than 1 month
  • Not having received any injections for trigger finger diagnosis within the last 1 month
  • Signing the informed consent form indicating willingness to participate in the study
Exclusion Criteria
  • Refusing to participate in the study
  • Presence of partial or complete tendon rupture in the relevant tendon of the finger to be treated
  • Presence of wounds and infection in the area where the procedure will be performed
  • Pregnancy status
  • History of allergy to the injected medications (local anesthetic, steroid)

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
The peritendinous steroid groupThe peritendinous Betamethasone groupA 1 ml mixture of corticosteroid (2 mg + 5 mg/ml betamethasone) and 1 ml of local anesthetic agent (20 ml 2% prilocaine) was injected peritendinously between the A1 pulley and the flexor tendon sheath at the metacarpophalangeal joint level under ultrasound guidance.
The percutaneous A1 pulley release groupThe percutaneous A1 pulley releaseIn the A1 pulley release group, 1 ml of local anesthetic agent (20 ml 2% prilocaine) was injected into the pulley-associated subcutaneous tissue using a 27 G needle under ultrasound guidance. The metacarpophalangeal joint was brought into slight hyperextension. Subsequently, a 20 G 0.9x38mm needle, modified by bending approximately 40-45 degrees from the proximal 1/3 of the needle with the aid of a cap, was used. The needle was advanced in-plane from distal to proximal along the midline, with simultaneous movement towards the palmar surface, aiming to cut or loosen the pulley between the tendon and A1 pulley. The loosening procedure was repeated from the distal to proximal aspect of the pulley until the sensation of resistance at the needle tip disappeared.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Stage of the diseasefirst week, first mount, third month

Modified Quinnel classification Stage 1: Normal movement, no pain.

* Stage 2: Normal movement, occasional pain.

* Stage 3: Irregular movement (catching without crepitus or locking).

* Stage 4: Locking present, actively correctable.

* Stage 5: Locking present, passively correctable.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
severity of triggeringfirst week, first month, third month

The severity of catching in patients was assessed using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ranging from 0 to 10. Patients were explained that "0" represents no catching at all, while "10" represents catching requiring passive correction of the finger. They were asked to mark a number between 0 and 10 corresponding to the severity of catching they experienced.

Pain intensityfirst week, first month, third month

The pain associated with movement in the relevant finger was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Patients were explained that "0" represented no pain at all, "10" represented the most severe pain they had ever experienced in their life, and "5" represented moderate pain. They were asked to indicate a number between 0 and 10 that corresponded to the intensity of pain they were feeling.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital

🇹🇷

Ankara, Turkey

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath