title: Resolution and recurrence rates of idiopathic trigger finger after corticosteroid injection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study addresses factors associated with apparent resolution and recurrence of triggering using data from providers with various treatment strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review identified 878 adult patients with 1,210 Quinnell grade 2 or 3 trigger fingers that had one or more corticosteroid injections by one of three surgeons between 2001 and 2011. Two surgeons injected dexamethasone, but one had patients return 1 month after injection and was quick to recommend surgery (strategy A) and the other had patients return 2 months after injection, offered another injection or surgery, and followed the patient's preference. One surgeon used triamcinolone, had patients return only if the injection did not work, and waited at least 3 months to offer surgery. Factors associated with apparent resolution and recurrence of triggering were sought in bivariable and multivariable statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Triamcinolone injection was associated with more frequent apparent resolution (83 %), than dexamethasone injection (30 %). Apparent resolution of triggering was also associated with a delayed surgery treatment strategy (B and C) and the affected finger (long and ring fingers were less likely to resolve). Return with triggering after documented or presumed resolution occurred in 188 fingers (33 %) and was associated with triamcinolone injection, index, long and ring finger, and orally treated non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Strategy A had the lowest initial apparent resolution rate, the highest proportion of patients having surgery, and the lowest final triggering rate of 10 %.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both treatment strategy and type of corticosteroid determine apparent resolution and recurrence rates.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Yawkey Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Suite 2100, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA.
authors.forename: Marianne F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Mol
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Yawkey Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Suite 2100, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA.
authors.forename: Valentin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Neuhaus
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Yawkey Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Suite 2100, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA.
authors.forename: Stéphanie J E
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Yawkey Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Suite 2100, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA.
authors.forename: Jesse B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Jupiter
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Yawkey Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Suite 2100, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA.
authors.forename: Chaitanya
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mudgal
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Yawkey Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Suite 2100, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ring
keywords: Corticosteroid injections; Recurrence; Resolution; Trigger finger