Effects of simultaneous steroid injection after percutaneous trigger finger release: a randomized controlled trial

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that an improved outcome can be achieved by employing simultaneous steroid injection after percutaneous A1 pulley release. One hundred and twelve digits were randomized to either percutaneous A1 pulley release alone or release of the A1 pulley with a steroid injection. The visual analogue scale score for pain, modified patient global impression of improvement and modified Quinnell grade were assessed at 3 weeks and 3 months after surgery. At 3 weeks, subjective improvement in the group with simultaneous steroid injection was significantly superior. At 3 months, pain score in the patients without a steroid injection was significantly better. No significant differences were found in the modified Quinnell grade. We conclude from this study that the simultaneous steroid injection at the time of surgical release decreases pain and improves subjective outcomes during the early postoperative period after percutaneous trigger finger release. Level of evidence: I.