Small longitudinal S incision and page turning style of annular ligament partial resection to treat stenosing tenosynovitis of thumb flexor tendon.
BACKGROUND
To present the treatment outcome for patients with stenosing tenosynovitis of thumb flexor tendon treated with a small S incision and page turning style of annular ligament partial resection.


METHODS
During a 2-year period between August 2011 and July 2013, 12 consecutive patients (mean age, 45.8 years) with stenosing tenosynovitis of the thumb flexor tendon were prospectively enrolled into this study. All 12 patients underwent longitudinal S skin incision to expose annular ligament and thumb flexor tendon, and with page turning style of annular ligament partial resection to finish the operation. The average range of motion of metacarpophalangeal thumb joint, Quick disability of arm, shoulder, and hand and Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Dysfunction score of arm and hand were primary outcome measures.


RESULTS
There were 9 cases of stiff metacarpophalangeal joint of thumb and 3 cases of snapping thumb for stenosing tenosynovitis. At 1-year follow-up, all stenosing tenosynovitis had healed by an average of 4 weeks. The average range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint was 37.1° (range, 34-40°). No patients had recurrence, cicatricial contraction, or postoperative infection. The average disability of arm, shoulder, and hand was 0.3 out of 100 (range, 0-1.67), and average Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment Dysfunction score of arm and hand was 6.9 out of 40 (range, 0-15.6). All 12 patients stated that they were highly satisﬁed.


CONCLUSIONS
Small S incision and page turning style of annular ligament partial resection for stenosing tenosynovitis of thumb flexor tendon is a safe, simple, and reliable alternative treatment with minimal soft-tissue irritation, good functional results and recovery can be expected.
Department of Orthopedics, Tengzhou Central Pepoles' Hospital, Tengzhou, China (mainland).
Yu-ping
YP
Liu
Department of Orthopedics, Tengzhou Central Pepoles' Hospital, Tengzhou, China (mainland).
Yan-ying
YY
Du
Department of Orthopedics, Tengzhou Central Pepoles' Hospital, Tengzhou, China (mainland).
Ming-ming
MM
Wang
Department of Orthopedics, Tengzhou Central Pepoles' Hospital, Tengzhou, China (mainland).
Ming
M
Li
Department of Orthopedics, Tengzhou Central Pepoles' Hospital, Tengzhou, China (mainland).
Shi-you
SY
Liu
Department of Orthopedics, Tengzhou Central Pepoles' Hospital, Tengzhou, China (mainland).
Wei
W
Liu
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010209:Paper; D053682:Tendon Entrapment / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D013933:Thumb / Q000601:surgery*