Name a common cause of flexor tendon sheath stenosis (trigger finger) and its initial treatment.

Study for the NBCOT Hand Injuries and Intervention Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations. Get ready for success!

Multiple Choice

Name a common cause of flexor tendon sheath stenosis (trigger finger) and its initial treatment.

Trigger finger happens when the flexor tendon sheath becomes narrowed at the A1 pulley near the MCP joint, usually from thickening of the pulley or a tendon nodule with repetitive gripping. Because this site is where catching occurs, the most effective first step is to inject a corticosteroid into the A1 pulley to reduce inflammation and restore smooth tendon glide. If the injection doesn’t fully resolve the problem, surgery to release the A1 pulley is considered, but that’s a later step. Injecting into the A2 or other pulleys doesn’t target the typical site of stenosis, and performing surgical release initially skips a nonoperative option that often works.

Trigger finger happens when the flexor tendon sheath becomes narrowed at the A1 pulley near the MCP joint, usually from thickening of the pulley or a tendon nodule with repetitive gripping. Because this site is where catching occurs, the most effective first step is to inject a corticosteroid into the A1 pulley to reduce inflammation and restore smooth tendon glide. If the injection doesn’t fully resolve the problem, surgery to release the A1 pulley is considered, but that’s a later step. Injecting into the A2 or other pulleys doesn’t target the typical site of stenosis, and performing surgical release initially skips a nonoperative option that often works.

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