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Do not rush to return to sports after trigger finger injection
Jeehae Oh1, Leechan Jo, Jong In Lee
1From the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
|March 19, 2015
Summary
A single corticosteroid injection for trigger finger can unexpectedly lead to flexor tendon rupture. Patients should avoid premature return to sports after treatment to prevent further injury.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Sports medicine
Background:
- Trigger finger (digital stenosing tenosynovitis) is a prevalent hand condition.
- Corticosteroid injections into the flexor tendon sheath are a common treatment.
- Tendon rupture is a known but rare complication of steroid injections.
Observation:
- This report details an uncommon case of flexor digitorum profundus rupture following a single corticosteroid injection.
- The patient was a 57-year-old male golfer.
- Literature review on tendon rupture post-injection was also conducted.
Findings:
- There are no prior reports of tendon rupture after a single corticosteroid injection for trigger finger.
- Guidelines for returning to sports after tendinopathy treatment with corticosteroids are lacking.
- Steroid administration directly into the tendon, rather than the sheath, may increase rupture risk.
Implications:
- Clinicians must be vigilant about steroid placement to avoid intratendinous injection.
- Patients need clear warnings regarding premature return to sports activities post-injection.
- Gradual resumption of activities is recommended to mitigate risks of further tendon damage.