Upper Extremity Tendinopathies (trigger digits, deQuervains, Lateral epicondylitis)-TRIGGER FINGER TREATMENT BY ULNARSUPERFICIALIS SLIP RESECTION (U.S.S.R.)

TRIGGER FINGER TREATMENT BY ULNARSUPERFICIALIS SLIP RESECTION (U.S.S.R.)

Pdf Summary

Trigger finger is a condition characterized by the locking or catching of a finger when it is bent. In most cases, surgical release of the A1 pulley, a structure in the finger, provides successful treatment. However, in patients with long-standing trigger finger, there may be a persistent fixed flexion deformity of the joint. This deformity is often due to thickening of the flexor tendons and may require additional treatment. This study reviewed 172 patients who had undergone resection of the ulnar slip of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon, a procedure known as U.S.S.R. The average follow-up was 66 months. The study found that all but eight fingers showed improvement after surgery and there was an average gain of 26 degrees in passive extension of the joint. Full extension of the joint was achieved in 141 of the fingers. The study concluded that this technique is effective for patients with loss of extension and a long history of triggering. The surgical procedure involves resection of the ulnar slip of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon, which allows for more movement of the joint. The study did note some complications, including ruptured pulleys and reﬂex sympathetic dystrophy, but overall the procedure was successful in restoring movement to the joint.

Keywords

Trigger finger

locking finger

catching finger

A1 pulley

surgical release

flexion deformity

thickening of tendons

U.S.S.R procedure

passive extension

joint extension