title: Triggering of the Digits After Carpal Tunnel Surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and trigger finger may be seen simultaneously in the same hand. The development of trigger finger in patients undergoing CTS surgery is not rare, but the relationship between these conditions has not been fully established. The aims of this prospective randomized study were to investigate the incidence of trigger finger in patient groups undergoing transverse carpal ligament releasing (TCL) or TCL together with distal forearm fascia releasing and to identify other factors that may have an effect of these conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective randomized study evaluated 159 hands of 113 patients for whom CTS surgery was planned. The patients were separated into 2 groups: group 1 (79 hands of 57 patients) undergoing TCL releasing only and group 2 (80 hands of 56 patients) undergoing TCL and distal forearm fascia releasing together. The age and gender of the patients, dominant hand, physical examination findings, visual analogue scale (VAS), and electromyography (EMG) results were recorded. Follow-up examinations were made at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months for all patients. We noted development of trigger finger in the surgical groups, and its location and response to treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of trigger finger development was statistically significantly different between group 1 and group 2 (13.9% and 31.3%, respectively). The logistic regression analysis of factors affecting the development of trigger finger posttreatment found that the surgical method and severity of EMG were significant, whereas the effects of the other factors studied were not found to have any statistical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was an increased risk of postoperative trigger finger development in patients undergoing TCL and distal forearm fascia releasing surgery for CTS compared to those undergoing CTL only. There is a need for further studies to support this result and further explain the etiology.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical School of Selcuk University. Konya; †Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Beyhekim State Hospital, Konya; ‡Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, BezmiAlem Foundation University, Istanbul; §Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, N.E. University Meram School of Medicine, Konya; and ∥Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medicana Konya Hospital. Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Acar
authors.forename: Harun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kütahya
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Güleç
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elmadağ
authors.forename: Nazım
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karalezli
authors.forename: Tunc Cevat
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Ogun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002348:Carpal Bones; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008022:Ligaments / Q000601:surgery*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D052582:Trigger Finger Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*