High-resolution ultrasound in the diagnosis of trigger finger and evaluation of response to steroid injection

Trigger Finger Treatment

Trigger finger is a frequent condition. Although tenosynovitis and the alteration of pulley A1 are identified as triggering factors, there is no consensus on the true cause in the literature, and its true etiology remains unknown. The diagnosis is purely clinical most of the time. It depends solely on the existence of finger locking during active bending movement. Trigger finger treatment usually begins with nonsurgical interventions that are instituted for at least 3 months. In patients with initial presentation with flexion deformity or inability to flex the finger, there may be earlier indication of surgical treatment due to pain intensity and functional disability. In the present review article, we will present the modalities and our algorithm for the treatment of trigger finger.

Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-Part II, elbow and wrist

BACKGROUND

Although image-guided interventional procedures of the elbow and wrist are routinely performed, there is poor evidence in the literature concerning such treatments. Our aim was to perform a Delphi-based consensus on published evidence on image-guided interventional procedures around the elbow and wrist and provide clinical indications on this topic.

METHODS

A board of 45 experts in image-guided interventional musculoskeletal procedures from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology were involved in this Delphi-based consensus study. All panelists reviewed and scored published papers on image-guided interventional procedures around the elbow and wrist updated to September 2018 according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine levels of evidence. Consensus on statements drafted by the panelists about clinical indications was considered as "strong" when more than 95% of panelists agreed and as "broad" if more than 80% agreed.

RESULTS

Eighteen statements were drafted, 12 about tendon procedures and 6 about intra-articular procedures. Only statement #15 reached the highest level of evidence (ultrasound-guided steroid wrist injections result in greater pain reduction and greater likelihood of attaining clinically important improvement). Seventeen statements received strong consensus (94%), while one received broad consensus (6%).

CONCLUSIONS

There is still poor evidence in published papers on image-guided interventional procedures around the elbow and wrist. A strong consensus has been achieved in 17/18 (94%) statements provided by the panel on clinical indications. Large prospective randomized trials are needed to better define the role of these procedures in clinical practice.

KEY POINTS

• The panel provided 18 evidence-based statements on clinical indications of image-guided interventional procedures around the elbow and wrist. • Only statement #15 reached the highest level of evidence: ultrasound-guided steroid wrist injections result in greater pain reduction and greater likelihood of attaining clinically important improvement. • Seventeen statements received strong consensus (94%), while broad consensus was obtained by 1 statement (6%).

Ultrasound Features of Trigger Finger: Review of the Literature

Trigger finger is a common pathologic condition of the digital pulleys and flexor tendons in the hand. The key clinical finding is a transient blockage of the digit when it is flexed with subsequent painful snapping when it is extended. Imaging is a helpful guide for establishing the severity of the disease, identifying the underlying cause, and deciding the appropriate management. This narrative review aims to recall the anatomic and pathologic bases and describe the ultrasound features of trigger finger, also including common ultrasound findings and complications after therapy. Ultrasound enables an accurate static and dynamic evaluation of trigger finger as well as a comparison with the adjacent normal digits and thus should be considered the radiologic modality of first choice for its diagnosis.

Effect of metacarpophalangeal joint position on A1 pulley and flexor digitorum tendons in trigger digit

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the cross-sectional area (CSA) of flexor digitorum tendons and the thickness of first annular (A1) pulleys between contralateral normal digits and trigger digits (TDs) at positions of finger flexion and extension using a noninvasive ultrasound system.

METHODS

Seventeen affected fingers of 17 patients (6 men and 11 women) with TDs in one hand, and 17 contralateral normal digits without trigger finger symptoms were examined. The sonographic appearances of flexor digitorum tendons and A1 pulleys were observed at two positions of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint flexion: 0° and 60°.

RESULTS

The findings of this study indicate that CSA of flexor digitorum tendons and A1 pulley thickness were significantly larger in both positions of 0° and 60° flexion of MCP joint compared with contralateral normal digits (p < 0.01). In TDs, there was a significantly thicker A1 pulley at 60° flexion of MCP joint than that at 0° flexion (p < 0.01), but no significant change on CSA of flexor tendons.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that TDs lead to the thicker A1 pulley and larger CSA of the flexor digitorum tendons. The mismatch in volume change between CSA of flexor digitorum tendons and A1 pulley thickness during MCP flexion may lead to the trigger phenomenon.

A Critical Appraisal of Adult Trigger Finger: Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Future Outlook

Trigger finger (TF) is a common referral to a hand surgeon, with people with diabetess being the most at-risk population. Abnormal thickening, scarring, and inflammation occur at the A1 pulley and flexor tendon, and histological changes correlate well with the clinical severity of TF. Corticosteroid injections decrease the thickness of the A1 pulley and are considered a first-line treatment. However, corticosteroids are only moderately effective, especially for people with diabetes. Patients may elect for surgery if nonoperative treatments prove ineffective; some may choose immediate surgical release instead. To release the A1 pulley, patients have the option of an open or percutaneous approach. The open approach has a greater risk of infection and scar tissue formation in the short run but an overall superior long-term outcome compared with the percutaneous approach.

METHODS

We critically reviewed the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the treatment methods for TF through a comprehensive search of the PubMed Database from 2003 to 2019.

RESULTS

To reduce costs, while still delivering the best possible care, it is critical to consider the likelihood of success for each treatment method in each subpopulation. Furthermore, some patients may need to return to work promptly, which ultimately may influence their desired treatment method.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently, there is no universal treatment algorithm for TF. From a purely financial standpoint, women without diabetes presenting with a single triggering thumb should attempt 2 corticosteroid trials before percutaneous release. It is the most cost-effective for all other subpopulations to elect for immediate percutaneous release.

Hallux saltans due to stenosing tenosynovitis of flexor hallucis longus: dynamic sonography and arthroscopic findings

Triggering of the toes is rare, with isolated cases reported in the literature involving predominantly the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon, a condition known as "hallux saltans" (HS). We report the dynamic sonographic findings of a 42-year-old female with a 2-month history of ankle pain and triggering of right hallux, consistent with HS. Sonography demonstrated tenosynovitis and focal thickening of FHL at the level of hindfoot, with a fibrous band adjacent to the tendon. Dynamic ultrasound showed triggering and snapping of FHL tendon during hallux flexion and extension, respectively. We present comprehensive documentation of this rare entity, including sonographic still images and cine clips, as well as correlation with arthroscopic surgical findings.