Trigger thumb

Changed by Henry Knipe, 30 Aug 2022
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Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Trigger thumb (or or flexor pollicis longus stenosing(FPL) stenosing tenosynovitis) is is a specific type of trigger finger involving the thumb.

Clinical presentation

MayTrigger thumb may present as a transient locking of the thumb in flexion, followed by a painful snapping sensation during extension

Radiographic features

Ultrasound / MRI

CanUltrasound can both show varying degrees of A1 pulley thickening and flexor pollicis longustendinosis/tenosynovitis (local swelling of the flexor tendons distal to the pulley) with2 with a distinct nodule, A1 pulley thickening, and tenosynovitisref. Small Small cysts may be present at the pulley boundaries due to fluid trappingref.

Dynamic scanning during passive flexion and extension could show difficult tendon gliding underneath the abnormal pulley

. Doppler imaging may depict hypervascularity in the region of the pulley and surrounding soft tissuesref.

MRI

Findings are similar to ultrasound, namely FPL tendinosis/tenosynovitis with a distinct nodule and A1 pulley thickening 2.

  • -<p><strong>Trigger thumb</strong> (or <strong>flexor pollicis longus stenosing tenosynovitis</strong>) is a specific type of <a href="/articles/trigger-finger">trigger finger </a>involving the thumb.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>May present as a transient locking of the thumb in flexion, followed by a painful snapping sensation during extension</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Ultrasound / MRI</h5><p>Can show varying degrees of <a href="/articles/flexor-pollicis-longus">flexor pollicis longus</a> tendinosis (local swelling of the flexor tendons distal to the pulley) with a distinct nodule, A1 pulley thickening, and tenosynovitis. Small cysts may be present at the pulley boundaries due to fluid trapping.</p><p>Dynamic scanning during passive flexion and extension could show difficult tendon gliding underneath the abnormal pulley</p><p>Doppler imaging may depict hypervascularity in the region of the pulley and surrounding soft tissues</p>
  • +<p><strong>Trigger thumb</strong> or <strong>flexor pollicis longus (FPL) stenosing tenosynovitis</strong> is a specific type of <a href="/articles/trigger-finger">trigger finger</a> involving the thumb.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Trigger thumb may present as a transient locking in flexion, followed by a painful snapping sensation during extension</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Ultrasound</h5><p>Ultrasound can both show varying degrees of A1 pulley thickening and <a href="/articles/flexor-pollicis-longus-muscle-1">flexor pollicis longus</a> <a href="/articles/tendinosis">tendinosis</a>/<a href="/articles/tenosynovitis">tenosynovitis</a> (local swelling of the flexor tendons distal to the pulley <sup>2</sup> with a distinct nodule <sup>ref</sup>. Small cysts may be present at the pulley boundaries due to fluid trapping <sup>ref</sup>.</p><p>Dynamic scanning during passive flexion and extension could show difficult tendon gliding underneath the abnormal pulley. Doppler imaging may depict hypervascularity in the region of the pulley and surrounding soft tissues <sup>ref</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Findings are similar to ultrasound, namely FPL tendinosis/tenosynovitis with a distinct nodule and A1 pulley thickening <sup>2</sup>.</p>

References changed:

  • 1. Shah A & Bae D. Management of Pediatric Trigger Thumb and Trigger Finger. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2012;20(4):206-13. <a href="https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-20-04-206">doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-04-206</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22474090">Pubmed</a>
  • 2. Chang E, Chen K, Chung C. MR Imaging Findings of Trigger Thumb. Skeletal Radiol. 2015;44(8):1201-7. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-015-2172-y">doi:10.1007/s00256-015-2172-y</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26028473">Pubmed</a>
  • 3. Boretto J, Alfie V, Donndorff A, Gallucci G, DE Carli P. A Prospective Clinical Study of the A1 Pulley in Trigger Thumbs. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2008;33(3):260-5. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1753193408087070">doi:10.1177/1753193408087070</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18562354">Pubmed</a>
  • 1. Shah AS, Bae DS. Management of pediatric trigger thumb and trigger finger. (2012) The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 20 (4): 206-13. <a href="https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-20-04-206">doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-04-206</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22474090">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>
  • 2. Chang EY, Chen KC, Chung CB. MR imaging findings of trigger thumb. (2015) Skeletal radiology. 44 (8): 1201-7. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-015-2172-y">doi:10.1007/s00256-015-2172-y</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26028473">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>
  • 3. Boretto J, Alfie V, Donndorff A, Gallucci G, DE Carli P. A prospective clinical study of the A1 pulley in trigger thumbs. (2008) The Journal of hand surgery, European volume. 33 (3): 260-5. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1753193408087070">doi:10.1177/1753193408087070</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18562354">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>

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