2006 Trigger Finger eMedicine Orthopedics

Description: One of the commonest upper limb problems to be encountered in orthopaedic practice, trigger finger or trigger digit as variously called has remained a mystery regards its formation.
In the past, triggering of the digits was treated by splinting in extension, which caused stiffness and consequently loss of metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal flexion. Due to dissatisfaction with this form of treatment, researchers used intrasheath steroid injections, which resulted in a high proportion of good results (Marks, 1989).
Surgery in the form of release of the A1 pulley became popular when splinting and/or injection therapy failed or in the presence of other pathology such as rheumatoid arthritis in which injection treatment proved futile or risked of tendon rupture or infection.
Synonyms and related keywords: TF, trigger digit, snapping digit, locking digit, stenosing tendovaginitis, peritendinitis stenosans, digitus saltans
Author: Satishchandra Kale, MD 2006 Update 2010