Risk factors for return with a second trigger digit

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine predictors of return to the same practice with a second idiopathic trigger digit. A total of 2234 patients with Quinnell grade 2 or greater (objective triggering) of one or more digits were retrospectively analysed. A total of 490 of 2234 (22%) patients returned to the same practice with a second trigger digit, with an average follow-up time of 2.1 years (range, 7 days to 10 years). Predictors of return with a second trigger digit included carpal tunnel syndrome, Type 1 diabetes mellitus and duration of follow-up in years. Patients diagnosed with idiopathic trigger digit can be advised that about one in five will return to the same practice with another trigger digit, with approximately double the risk in patients that have carpal tunnel syndrome or Type 1 diabetes.