Effectiveness of Amniotic Fluid Injection in the Treatment of Trigger Finger: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of amniotic fluid therapy injections in patients with mild to moderate trigger finger.

METHODS

All participants received 1 mL of amniotic fluid injected into the tendon sheath of the affected tendon. Pretreatment and posttreatment data were collected for triggering frequency, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire scores, and numerical pain rating scale scores.

RESULTS

Of 111 digits from 96 patients, 51% experienced clinically notable improvement and did not receive an alternative treatment. Average length of follow-up was 11 months. From baseline to end of follow-up, average pain score (0-10) decreased from 5.19 to 1.19 (P < .001), median triggering per day decreased from 5 to 0 (P < .001), and median DASH score (1-100) decreased from 20 to 6.03 (P < .001). There was a 50% success rate in patients with diabetes and a 52.6% success rate in digits diagnosed with concomitant Dupuytren contracture in the same hand.

CONCLUSIONS

Amniotic fluid therapy injections may offer a biologic alternative for conservative treatment of trigger finger, particularly for patients with diabetes. Decreased pain, decreased triggering, and improved DASH scores offer preliminary evidence supporting the use of amniotic injections for stenosing tenosynovitis.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.