THE RESULTS OF SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF TRIGGER FINGER

A three-part retrospective study was undertaken to review the long-ter m results of surgical treatment of trigger finger. Seventy-five patien ts were identified by chart review. Fifty-nine of these were assessed by a telephone survey, with a mean follow-up period of 48 months (rang e, 6-70 months). Forty-six patients (78%) underwent follow-up physical examination. Surgical treatment was successful in all patients. Ninet y-seven percent of patients had complete resolution of triggering, and the rest had significant improvement of symptoms. The recurrence rate was 3%, with only a single patient requiring reoperation. Complicatio ns were infrequent and resulted in minimal morbidity. No nerve injurie s, tendon bowstringing, or ulnar deviation of the digits were observed . There were no wound infections. Although steroid injections should r emain the initial remedy for most trigger fingers, surgical interventi on is highly successful for conservative treatment failures and should be considered for patients desiring quick and definitive relief from this disability.