Long Term Effectiveness of Trigger Finger Injections With Triamcinolone vs. Dexamethasone

Trigger Finger Disorder

trigger finger

Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) is a very common condition and in office treatment with corticosteroid injection is widely accepted to be first line treatment. Previous studies have reported resolution of triggering after injection at rates ranging from 50% to 93%. Many factors contribute to this variability, including duration of symptoms, presence of diabetes, etc. This study will be a single center, prospective, randomized control trial. Patients will be collected into two different cohorts. The main cohort will be of patients with primary, idiopathic trigger finger. A second cohort of patients with diabetes will also be collected for secondary study questions. Study procedures will include clinical examination of the patient, injection of trigger fingers with mix of local anesthetic and one of two steroids, possible repeat trigger finger injections, and if patients are so indicated, surgical treatment of the trigger finger. Surgical treatment is considered clinical care of these patients who have continued or recurrent symptoms and the surgical treatment would not be considered part of this study. During the study, patients will also fill out surveys about their symptoms. The study drugs used will be 1% lidocaine without epinephrine mixed with either triamcinolone or dexamethasone. These medications are FDA approved for injection treatment of acute non-specific tenosynovitis. This indication includes trigger finger which is also known as acute stenosing tenosynovitis. The package inserts listing the indications for use of these medications are included in the attachments portion of the IRB application.

Upon coming to a clinical visit, patients who are complaining of trigger finger will be asked if they would like to participate in a study. After finishing the consent process, patients who elect to participate will be randomized to one of the two steroid groups. All patients will complete an initial enrollment survey as well as a DASH score (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand), and the Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ). Each patient will be examined by one of the attending physicians or one of the experienced physician's assistants and their Quinnell grade of trigger finger will be documented. Injection will performed in a standardized fashion in clinic. Multiple trigger fingers in any one patient will be treated but patients will be randomized, not individual fingers. The most radial finger treated will be the one followed for outcome measures. Patients will have the option to be treated with a different medication if they require further injections. However, all patients and data will be analyzed in an intention to treat manner. Follow-up visits will be arranged at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. At each follow-up visit, patients will again fill out the DASH score, MHQ, and a study-specific survey to evaluate outcome. In anticipation of the difficulty of obtaining a high follow-up rate at the 1 year and 2 year marks, the study-specific survey and the DASH and the MHQ may be administered to the patients over the phone or be sent an electronic version of the surveys. Additionally, these patients will also receive a written copy of the surveys via mail to complete and return. All patients will be followed for a total of 2 years after their latest injection. Most of these procedures are standard of care, the only research visits are the 1 and 2 year follow-up visits. Some patients with recurrent or continued symptoms may be indicated for surgical treatment of their trigger finger. Surgical treatment is considered clinical care of these patients who have continued or recurrent symptoms and the surgical treatment would not be considered part of this study. Data collected from the patient's medical record will include demographic information such as age, sex, birthdate. The investigators will also review whether the patient is currently taking any medications for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

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