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Evidence summaries

Corticosteroid Injection for Trigger Finger in Adults

Corticosteroid and lidocaine injections in combination may be more effective than lidocaine alone for the treatment of trigger finger. Level of evidence: "C"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 2 studies with a total of 63 subjects. 34 were allocated to corticosteroids and lidocaine, and 29 were allocated to lidocaine alone. Corticosteroid injection with lidocaine was more effective than lidocaine alone on treatment success at four weeks (relative risk 3.15, 95% CI 1.34 to 7.40). In one study the effects of corticosteroid injections lasted up to four months. The number needed to treat to benefit was 3. No adverse events or side effects were reported.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (inadequate or unclear allocation concealment) and by imprecise results (few patients and wide confidence intervals).

    References

    • Peters-Veluthamaningal C, van der Windt DA, Winters JC, Meyboom-de Jong B. Corticosteroid injection for trigger finger in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009 Jan 21;(1):CD005617. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords