Efficacy of Subcutaneous Kenacort Injection for Trigger Finger: A Retrospective Analysis

Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a common hand condition that occurs when a tendon or its sheath becomes swollen, inflamed, or degenerated, leading to pain, difficulty with movement, and sometimes a clicking sensation. Steroid injection is the first-line treatment, typically administered as a peritendinous or intrasheath injection. Subcutaneous injections are less commonly used; although they are simpler and generally less painful, they are infrequently performed due to limited supporting literature.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 79 patients (120 affected fingers) treated with subcutaneous Kenacort injection at Prince Sultan Military Medical City between 2021 and 2025. Patients with prior surgical release were excluded, and data on demographics such as age, sex, and occupation, clinical presentation, and outcomes were collected from electronic medical records.

Patients were followed up for a median of 7.5 months (range, 3-41 mo). Among the 79 patients, 57.5% achieved complete resolution, 25.0% had partial improvement, and 17.5% showed no improvement. The thumb (32.5%) and ring finger (24.7%) were most frequently affected, with most cases presenting at stage II; however, 25.8% of fingers eventually required surgical release despite injection therapy.

Subcutaneous Kenacort injection is a simple, safe, and effective first-line treatment for trigger finger, achieving symptom improvement in most cases and reducing surgical need. It is practical in outpatient settings, though individualized assessment remains vital, particularly for patients with diabetes or those with more severe disease.