STEROID VERSUS PLACEBO INJECTION FOR TRIGGER FINGER

The ability of a single injection of steroid and lidocaine to bring ab out cure of primary trigger finger was determined and compared with a control placebo injection of only lidocaine. Twenty-four patients were randomized to the therapeutic or control group and were followed pros pectively. One physician administered the injection, another the clini cal examination after injection, and a third evaluated the results bli ndly. Patients were not told to which group they were assigned. Nine o f the 14 patients in the steroid group versus two of the ten patients in the placebo group were cured of trigger finger at final follow-up e xamination. After injection, seven patients had immediate but temporar y relief of triggering because of flexor sheath distention. One inject ion cured 16 of patients with primary trigger finger with no side effe ct and is the recommended nonsurgical treatment.