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Skeletal Radiology
Published in: Skeletal Radiology 12/2016

01-12-2016 | Scientific Article

High-resolution ultrasound in the diagnosis of trigger finger and evaluation of response to steroid injection

Authors: Yutaka Mifune, Atsuyuki Inui, Ryosuke Sakata, Yoshifumi Harada, Fumiaki Takase, Masahiro Kurosaka, Takeshi Kokubu

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 12/2016

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Abstract

Objective

No studies have reported the use of ultrasound for the evaluation of trigger finger after steroid injection. We evaluated the clinical features and ultrasound appearance of trigger finger before and after steroid injection under ultrasound guidance.

Materials and methods

Thirty-eight digits with triggering were included. A single steroid injection into the tendon sheath was administered. Ultrasound findings and clinical symptoms, including pain, triggering, and the Quinnell score, were analyzed before injection and at 1 and 3 weeks after injection.

Results

Ultrasound indicated that the thickness of the flexor tendons and the thickness of A1 pulleys were significantly greater in the trigger fingers than in controls before steroid injection. Three weeks after injection, these two parameters decreased, and there was no significant difference in the two parameters between the trigger finger and the controls. The visual analogue scales at 1 and 3 weeks after the injection were significantly lower than those before the injection. The Quinnell grading system scores significantly improved at 1 and 3 weeks after injection compared with the scores before injection. Moreover, a tendency was seen for the more clinically severe cases to show more swelling of the tendon and pulley.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ultrasound assessments could reveal that the thickened A1 pulley and flexor tendon significantly improved after steroid injection, which enables us to confirm the therapeutic effects of the steroid injection. Therefore, ultrasound assessments can be a useful adjunct to understand the response to treatment with the steroid injection.
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Metadata
Title
High-resolution ultrasound in the diagnosis of trigger finger and evaluation of response to steroid injection
Authors
Yutaka Mifune
Atsuyuki Inui
Ryosuke Sakata
Yoshifumi Harada
Fumiaki Takase
Masahiro Kurosaka
Takeshi Kokubu
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Skeletal Radiology / Issue 12/2016
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-016-2485-5

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