High incidence of trigger finger after carpal tunnel release: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Trigger finger (TF) often occurs after carpal tunnel release (CTR), but the mechanism and outcomes remain inconsistent. This study evaluated the incidence of TF after CTR and its related risk factors.

​PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched up to 27 August 2022, with the following keywords: "carpal tunnel release" and "trigger finger". Studies with complete data on the incidence of TF after CTR and published full text. The primary outcome was the association between CTR and the subsequent occurrence of the TF and to calculate the pooled incidence of post-CTR TF. The secondary outcomes included the potential risk factors among patients with and without post-CTR TF as well as the prevalence of the post-CTR TF on the affected digits.

Ten studies with total 10,399 participants in 9 studies and 875 operated hands in one article were included for meta-analysis. CTR significantly increases the risk of following TF occurrence (odds ratio=2.67; 95% CI 2.344-3.043; P <0.001). The pooled incidence of TF development after CTR was 7.7%. Women were more likely to develop a TF after CTR surgery (odds ratio=2.02; 95% CI 1.054-3.873; P =0.034). Finally, the thumb was the most susceptible fingers, followed by middle and ring fingers.

High incidence of TF comes after CTR, and women were more susceptible than man. Clinicians were suggested to notice the potential risk of TF after CTR in clinical practice.

Level III, meta-analysis.