gms | German Medical Science

Objectives/Interrogation: The purpose of this study is to present secondary trigger finger caused by a neglected partial flexor tendon rupture including discussion of the mechanism and treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of six patients with trigger finger caused by a neglected partial flexor tendon rupture who had been treated with exploration, debridement and repairing of the ruptured tendon from August 2010 to May 2015. The average patient age was 41 years (range, 23-59). The time from injury to treatment averaged 4.7 months. The average follow-up period was 9 months (range, 4-18). Functional outcome was evaluated from a comparison between the Quick- disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, which were measured at the time of preoperation and final follow up.

Results and Conclusions: Four patients showed partial rupture of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon and three showed partial rupture of the flexor digitorun superficialis (FDS) tendon. Both the FDP and FDS tendons were partially ruptured in 2 patients, and the remaining patient had a partial rupture of the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon. All patients regained full range of motion (ROM), and there has been no recurrence of triggering. The average VAS score decreased from 3.6 (range, 3-5) preoperatively to 0.3 (range, 0-1) at the final follow up (P=.026). The average Quick-DASH score decreased from 33.6 preoperatively to 5.3 at the final follow up (P=.028).

When we encounter patients with puncture or laceration wounds in flexor zone 2, even when the injury appears to be simple, partial flexor tendon laceration must be taken into consideration and early exploration and repairing of the partially ruptured tendon is recommended.