Trigger finger is a common hand condition with a lifetime prevalence of 2-3% of the adult population. It is a common cause of hand disability. Management begins conservatively with observation, orthotic immobilization and corticosteroid injections. Joint blocking orthoses can improve function and provide pain relief, particularly in those with less severe disease. Corticosteroid injections can also be offered with the effectiveness approaching 80% in some studies, although this can vary with disease severity and number of digits involved. Corticosteroid injections can safely be offered to diabetic patients and can be offered to all patients prior to undergoing surgical release. Surgical release should not be performed within three months of corticosteroid injection due to increased risk of infection. For patients with continued issues following conservative management, surgical release of the A1 pulley provides excellent results and remains the most effective and reliable treatment offered. This can be performed by open release or percutaneously. The wide-awake local anesthesia with no tourniquet (WALANT) anesthesia has gained popularity with this procedure due to improved patient outcomes and cost effectiveness.
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