A case of systemic lupus erythematosus associated with trigger wrist

A 54-year-old woman complained of a painful, swollen, and clicking left wrist for 1 year. She had an 8-year history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), treated with oral prednisolone. Flexion and extension of all fingers were difficult to initiate on wrist extension, and movement was accompanied by a palpable click at the wrist. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and tenography revealed the expanded sheath of the flexor tendons and well-defined round free bodies known as rice bodies. Synovectomy and excision of rice bodies resulted in complete disappearance of swelling and triggering of the wrist. Received: August 23, 2000 / Accepted: July 6, 2001