Epidemiology, Treatment Patterns, and Comorbidities of Trigger Finger: A Contemporary Population-Based Analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the contemporary prevalence, demographics, treatment trends, and common comorbidities associated with trigger finger (TF).

The TriNetX Research Network was queried for patients diagnosed with TF from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2023, resulting in 465,763 patients. TF prevalence was assessed in the general population and in a cohort with diabetes mellitus. Demographics, comorbidities, and TF treatments were recorded. A secondary analysis examined rates of repeat injection and surgery after initial steroid injection. Comparative analyses were conducted using TriNetX's platform tools.

The data demonstrated a TF prevalence of 2.0% in the general population and 5.8% in the diabetic population. Those with TF were older (60.6 vs. 39.5 years) and more likely female (63.0% vs. 54.3%) compared with those without TF. The most affected digits were the thumb (35.2%), middle finger (34.1%), and ring finger (26.0%). Approximately 13.5% and 16.6% of patients with TF underwent surgical release within 1 and 3 years, respectively. Among patients who received an initial injection, 25.9% and 36.0% received an additional injection and 13.4% and 20.1% required surgery within 1 and 3 years, respectively. After adjusting for demographic confounders, the TF cohort had nearly four times higher prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome.

TF affects 2% of the general population and nearly 6% of diabetic patients. The thumb, middle, and ring fingers are the most commonly affected, with an overall rate of surgery of 16.6% within 3 years. These data can help inform treatment decisions and guide future research.