Increased Rate of Complications following Trigger Finger Release in Diabetic Patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of diabetes on complications after open trigger finger release compared with a cohort matched for age, sex, race, and body mass index class.

A retrospective chart review was performed of diabetic patients who underwent trigger finger release at an academic institution within the past 10 years. Exclusion criteria included rheumatoid arthritis, malignancy, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, connective tissue disorders, or systemic steroid use. These patients were then matched by age, sex, race, and body mass index class to nondiabetic patients who underwent trigger finger release during the same period. One hundred thirty-seven patients met inclusion criteria and were matched with controls. Complications included superficial or deep infection, delayed wound healing, limited range of motion at 6 weeks, pain requiring medication at 6 weeks, and return to the operating room.

In adjusted analyses, diabetic patients had a significantly higher rate of all-cause complication following trigger finger release compared with matched nondiabetic controls at an odds ratio of 2.1. Diabetic patients also had a significantly higher rate of limitation in postoperative range of motion compared to the controls with an odds ratio of 2.4.

This retrospective case-control study identified that diabetic patients undergoing trigger finger release are at increased risk of all-cause postoperative complications and, specifically, range of motion limitation when compared with similar patients without diabetes.

Risk, II.