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Key Predictors of Trigger Finger Release Outcomes
Rachel Hyzny, BA
1, Charles Patterson, BS
1, Pedro Baldoni, PhD, MS, BS
1, Christopher Gonzalez, BA
1, Jenna Dvorsky, MS
1, Yan Ma, PhD, MA, MS
1, Jacob Weinberg, BS
1; John R Fowler, MD
2(1)University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, (2)Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
INTRODUCTION:
Trigger Finger is a common disorder of the hand, and understanding factors that contribute to adverse outcomes after trigger finger release (TFR) is crucial for helping surgeons and patients make informed treatment decisions. The complication rate following TFR is low (0.5-3%), and the factors leading to adverse outcomes are relatively understudied. This study aimed to identify patient- and procedure-specific predictors of key postoperative outcomes following TFR.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted to examine variables impacting four outcomes: repeat corticosteroid injection after surgery, repeat operation within one year, postoperative ED visits, and postoperative antibiotic use within 90 days. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors using demographic and procedural data.
RESULTS:
A total of 609 fingers on 494 patients were operated on. Higher BMI was associated with lower odds of repeat operation (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.77-0.94). Procedures involving the index finger were strongly associated with higher odds of repeat operation (OR: 51.9, 95% CI: 5.36-502). There were 29 patients with ED visits within 90 days of their surgery. Increasing age was associated with lower odds of ED visit (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-1.00). Non-white race (OR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.31-7.05), prior TFR (OR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.07-5.39) and index finger surgery (OR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.09-7.17) were each positively associated with higher likelihood of postoperative ED visits. No variables were significantly associated with postoperative antibiotic use or repeat corticosteroid injection after surgery. Additionally, other variables such as gender, smoking, diabetes, and preoperative injection history were not significantly associated with repeat operation.
DISCUSSION:
Index finger involvement was linked to higher reoperation risk, possibly due to anatomical or functional factors. Higher BMI was associated with decreased odds of reoperation, suggesting factors beyond weight may influence recovery. Younger patients and those of non-white race had higher odds of ED visits, suggesting that disparities in healthcare access or utilization patterns may influence postoperative ED visits. These findings may inform preoperative counseling, shared decision making, and postoperative follow-up strategies for patients undergoing TFR.
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