Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was the only independent predictor of recurrent symptoms.
Corticosteroid injections can relieve symptoms of trigger finger (e.g., pain, locking), but the response rate and duration of benefit vary across studies. In this report, Boston orthopedists describe 1-year outcomes of 124 injected trigger digits in 119 patients.
All patients reported relief of symptoms immediately after injections (a steroid–lidocaine mixture). Symptoms recurred in 30% of patients by 6 months and in 55% of patients by 12 months. About a quarter of patients received second injections (after symptoms recurred), and 18% underwent surgical release during the year of follow-up. On multivariate analysis, presence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) was the only independent predictor of recurrent symptoms (symptoms recurred in all 6 patients who had IDDM). Various other demographic and clinical characteristics — including duration of symptoms before injection — did not predict recurrence.
Comment: About half the patients who receive single steroid injections for trigger finger are likely to experience relapses within the next year. In my experience, some patients experience long-term responses, well beyond a year. Thus, steroid injections are worthwhile for patients who want treatment and wish to avoid surgery.
— Allan S. Brett, MD
Published in Journal Watch General Medicine August 28, 2008
Rozental TD et al. Trigger finger: Prognostic indicators of recurrence following corticosteroid injection. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2008 Aug; 90:1665.