Rates of and Risk Factors for Trigger Finger after Open Carpal Tunnel Release

• Published in: Journal of wrist surgery 2021-10, Vol.10 (5), p.413-417
• Main Authors: Raducha, Jeremy E., Jiang, Winston, Kahan, Lindsey, Dove, James Houston, Cochran, Christopher, Weiss, Arnold-Peter C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Scientific; Scientific Article
• ISSN: 2163-3916; 2163-3924
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1730343

Abstract Background  We have anecdotally noticed a higher rate of trigger fingers (TFs) developing in patients who have undergone carpal tunnel release (CTR). Questions/Objective  Is the rate of TFs after CTR greater compared to the nonoperative hand? Is the thumb more commonly involved postoperatively compared with spontaneous TFs? Do particular associated comorbidities increase this risk? Patients and Methods  We queried our institutional database for patients who had undergone open CTR during a 2-year period and recorded the development of an ipsilateral TF after a CTR or a contralateral TF in the nonoperative hand. Patient demographics, comorbidities, concurrent initial procedures, time to diagnosis, and finger involvement were recorded. Results  A total of 435 patients underwent 556 CTRs during this period. Furthermore, 46 ipsilateral TFs developed in 38 of 556 cases (6.83%) at an average of 228.1 ± 195.7 days after surgery. The thumb was most commonly involved (37.0%) followed by the ring finger (28.3%). The incidence rate of TF in the nonoperative hand during this period was 2.7%, with the ring finger and middle finger most commonly involved (33.3 and 28.6%, respectively). Only history of prior TF in either hand was found to be a significantly associated on Chi-square analysis and multivariable regression ( p