A New Test for Trigger Finger: The Lenox Independent Flexion Test

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Hand Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Diagnosing trigger finger (TF) can be difficult in patients without apparent triggering during initial assessment.
• The Lenox Independent Flexion Test (LIFT) is a novel diagnostic tool for TF.
• This study evaluates the diagnostic sensitivity of the LIFT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the sensitivity of the Lenox Independent Flexion Test (LIFT) in diagnosing trigger finger (TF).
• To compare the sensitivity of LIFT against the classic physical examination finding of triggering or locking with active range of motion (AROM).

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 85 patients with 118 cases of TF over five months.
• Exclusion criteria included trigger onset after trauma and thumb involvement.
• Physical examination included assessment for A1 pulley tenderness, triggering/locking with AROM, and performance of the LIFT; a two-proportion test compared LIFT sensitivity to AROM triggering.

Main Results:

• The study included 85 patients (49 women, average age 63) with 118 TFs (69 Grade I, 49 Grade II).
• 91% of cases had a positive LIFT, compared to 44% exhibiting triggering or locking with AROM.
• The LIFT demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity than triggering with AROM (p < .001).

Conclusions:

• The Lenox Independent Flexion Test (LIFT) is more sensitive for diagnosing trigger digits than active range of motion (AROM) testing.
• LIFT proves particularly valuable for diagnosing trigger finger (TF) in patients who do not exhibit triggering during the initial clinical presentation.