Outcomes of the treatment of trigger digits by extracorporal shock wave therapy (ESWT).

BACKGROUND: Currently, extracorporal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been widely used in tendinopathies, including trigger fingers.
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was evaluation of effectiveness of ESWT for trigger digits in a short and mid-term follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients, 28 women and 4 men, in a mean age of 60 years, with a total of 50 affected digits underwent local extracorporal shock wave treatment. Each patient received 3 applications in a weekly interval. Results were assessed at 1 week and 3 months follow-up, using numeric rank scale for pain and Froimson scale for clinical severity.
RESULTS: One-week post-treatment, pain and triggering ceased completely or reduced significantly in 30 patients (94%). At 3 month follow-up, in 30 patients (94%) the symptoms resolved completely and they were considered recovered. Two patients (6%) failed to improve and in these cases the treatment was considered ineffective.
CONCLUSION: ESWT is an effective therapy for trigger digits in II° i III° severity grade and may be an alternative for other, noninvasive measures such as physiotherapy or steroid injection. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.