[Late flexor synovitis induced by the use of a fabric lace]

A thirty year old woman underwent trigger finger release of her left middle finger after two injections failed to give relief. Several months later, she developed an area of nodular tenosynovitis localized to the operative site. Her finger had recovered full function, her general health was good, and routine lab work was normal. Because of the persistent mass, flexor tenosynovectomy was performed. Histologic examination revealed synovial hyperplasia associated with a filamentous birefringent foreign material. The bluish color of the foreign material indicated that it came from a fabric retraction loop used during the original operation. She made an uneventful recovery, and three years later her hand remained normal. As a result of this unusual complication, we recommended the use of retraction loops made of plastic rather than fabric. Whenever a micro-foreign body remains in the flexor tendon shealth, there is risk of aseptic tenosynovitis.