Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31592381›Full record

ArticlePlastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open2019

A Critical Appraisal of Adult Trigger Finger: Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Future Outlook.

Nikolas Brozovich, Devandra Agrawal, Gangadasu Reddy

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
24citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
4.0field-weighted citation impact, top 6% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

24 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 46 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Trial
  4. Effects of cassava wax immersion on pain, pressure pain threshold, and upper extremity function among patients with trigger finger.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liao · 2026
    Article
  5. Percutaneous Release of Trigger Finger: Long-Term Review of Outcomes Using 18-Gauge Needle.Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · 2026
    Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. State of shock - a systematic review of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in hand surgery.GMS Interdisciplinary plastic and reconstructive surgery DGPW · 2025
    Review
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. Trigger Finger Treatment.Revista brasileira de ortopedia · 2022
    Article
  17. Patient preference for trigger finger treatment.World journal of orthopedics · 2022
    Article
  18. Article
  19. Forecasting the rate of hand injuries in Singapore.Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology (London, England) · 2022
    Article
  20. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Nikolas BrozovichCreighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebr.
Devandra AgrawalCreighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebr.
Gangadasu ReddyCreighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebr.
Creighton University · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Trigger finger (TF) is a common referral to a hand surgeon, with people with diabetess being the most at-risk population. Abnormal thickening, scarring, and inflammation occur at the A1 pulley and flexor tendon, and histological changes correlate well with the clinical severity of TF. Corticosteroid injections decrease the thickness of the A1 pulley and are considered a first-line treatment. However, corticosteroids are only moderately effective, especially for people with diabetes. Patients may elect for surgery if nonoperative treatments prove ineffective; some may choose immediate surgical release instead. To release the A1 pulley, patients have the option of an open or percutaneous approach. The open approach has a greater risk of infection and scar tissue formation in the short run but an overall superior long-term outcome compared with the percutaneous approach.

methodsWe critically reviewed the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the treatment methods for TF through a comprehensive search of the PubMed Database from 2003 to 2019.

resultsTo reduce costs, while still delivering the best possible care, it is critical to consider the likelihood of success for each treatment method in each subpopulation. Furthermore, some patients may need to return to work promptly, which ultimately may influence their desired treatment method.

conclusionsCurrently, there is no universal treatment algorithm for TF. From a purely financial standpoint, women without diabetes presenting with a single triggering thumb should attempt 2 corticosteroid trials before percutaneous release. It is the most cost-effective for all other subpopulations to elect for immediate percutaneous release.

Identifiers

PMID31592381
PMCPMC6756654
OpenAlexW2967188096

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.