From the Research
The likelihood of a trigger finger recurrence after a trigger finger release surgery is approximately 2.39%, as reported in the most recent and highest quality study 1. This low recurrence rate is attributed to the effectiveness of the surgical procedure in removing the constriction in the tendon sheath that causes the triggering phenomenon.
Factors Influencing Recurrence
Several factors can increase the risk of recurrence, including:
- More than 3 steroid injections before surgery, which increases the risk of recurrent trigger finger (HR = 4.87,95%CI = 1.06-22.35) 1
- Manual labor, which also increases the risk of recurrent trigger finger (HR = 3.43,95%CI = 1.15-10.23) 1
Management and Prevention
To minimize recurrence risk, patients should:
- Follow post-operative care instructions carefully
- Complete any prescribed hand therapy exercises
- Manage underlying conditions like diabetes effectively If symptoms return, treatment options include steroid injections, physical therapy, or revision surgery.
Comparison with Other Studies
While other studies have reported varying recurrence rates, the most recent and highest quality study 1 provides the most reliable estimate of the recurrence rate after trigger finger release surgery. For example, a study from 2021 reported a recurrence rate of 61% after corticosteroid injection treatment for trigger finger 2, but this study had a different population and treatment approach. Another study from 2008 reported a recurrence rate of 56% after corticosteroid injection treatment for trigger finger 3, but this study was older and had a smaller sample size. Overall, the most recent and highest quality study 1 provides the best estimate of the recurrence rate after trigger finger release surgery.