Percutaneous Trigger Thumb Release with 18 Guage Needle
Yingyong Torudom MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharindwirot University, Ongkharak, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand
Objective : The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical results and safety of percutaneous release in trigger
thumbs.
Material and Method: Forty-five thumbs of 43 patients were percutaneous released under local anesthesia. Pain score were
calculated in the preoperative and postoperative periods.
Results : Forty-three thumbs was successful release. Two thumbs had signs of discomfort and triggering because of incomplete
release. These patients underwent open release. Superficial tendon lacerations were seen during these open procedures.
There were no wound complications or signs of digital nerve or artery injury in any of the patients. The preoperative mean
VAS was 30.6 (20-36). This decreased to 3.5 (0-5) at the first postoperative month (p < 0.05) and to 2.1 (0-3; p < 0.05) at the
second month. When the VAS scores at the first and second months were compared, the difference was statistically significant.
Conclusion : Percutaneous release of trigger thumbs is a cheap, safe and effective procedure with a low rate of complications.
Keywords : Trigger thumb release
