Abstract
Introduction: Trigger finger is a common condition that affects mostly middle-aged patients. It results from an inflammatory disease of the flexor tendon sheath in place known as the A1 pulley.
The most frequent cause are microtraumas, or it may be associated with a metabolic disease. Materials and methods: In a retrospective study we evaluated percutaneous A1 pulley releases, using the needle technique.
We evaluated the outcomes of percutaneus A1 pulley release in the treatment of trigger finger digits in a retrospective study. In our study group we evaluated 210 digits in 180 patients between 2008-2012.
There were 123 women and 87 men. 53 patients had percutaneus A1 release on more than one digit. The affected digit was the thumb in 120 patients, there were 8 index fingers, 25 middle fingers, 50 ring fingers and 7 little fingers.
The average age of the patients was 58.3 years. Results: In 171 patients complete pain relief from and restoration of full of range motion was achieved.
Immediate effects without further care were achieved in 142 patients, 29 patients had to undergo targeted rehabilitation, with their condition improving within 5 weeks. In 9 patients, an open revision surgery was necessary.
Discussion: Percutaneous release is a standard method at our department and if indicated, we use it as the first choice method before open surgery. From our point of view the method of percutaneous discision A1 pulley is safe, fast-acting, with minimal risks for the patient and it allows the patients to return to his or her daily activities earlier than after an open surgery.