Sonographic appearance of the flexor tendon, volar plate, and A1 pulley with respect to the severity of trigger finger.

PURPOSE

To evaluate trigger digits with sonography to determine morphological changes in the A1 pulley, flexor tendon, and volar plate in relation to the severity of triggering.

METHODS

We evaluated 67 trigger digits and graded them into 1 of 4 groups. We compared the groups according to severity and to contralateral fingers, which served as controls.

RESULTS

The thickness of the flexor tendons under the A1 pulley was proportional to the severity of triggering. The anteroposterior thickness of the flexor tendon increased significantly among the grades exhibiting triggering regardless of the affected digit. However, in digits other than the thumb, tendon thickness increased even in the absence of active triggering. Thickening tended to be greater with finger flexion. The A1 pulley exhibited the greatest thickness and the volar plate exhibited significant thickening in the group that exhibited continuous triggering that was easily reduced with active extension (grade III).

CONCLUSIONS

The flexor tendon thickened significantly before patients experienced triggering except in the thumb. In the thumb, the flexor tendon and A1 pulley thickened significantly only after patients exhibited triggering. Thickening of the volar plate appears to have an important role in continuous triggering. Although most clinicians can easily determine the severity of a trigger digit by clinical examination, ultrasound might be helpful for objectively understanding the severity and response to treatment, by examining the thickness of the flexor tendon and A1 pulley. In particular, sonographic measurement of the A1 pulley might be useful in judging the progression of trigger finger severity. In cases where a Doppler signal is detected inside the A1 pulley, more conservative therapies might be worth considering before surgery.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic ΙΙΙ.