"Trigger finger at the wrist" due to anomalous flexor digitorum superficialis muscle belly within the carpal tunnel

"Triggering of the fingers at the wrist" is a relatively unusual condition. It consists in a triggering at the wrist produced by finger motion. Its etiology and presentation may vary. This condition should be clearly differentiated from the other clinical entity called "trigger wrist", occurring on wrist movement. In the present article, we report the case of an anomalous flexor digitorum superficialis muscle belly, arising from the right ring finger at the carpal tunnel, in a 47-year old female patient, causing triggering of the right ring finger at the wrist and a carpal tunnel syndrome. Surgical excision of the muscle mass and carpal tunnel release relieved patient's symptoms and has led to the disappearance of the triggering phenomenon. To date, few cases of trigger finger at the wrist have been reported in the literature. These reported cases were reviewed. The clinical entity of "true trigger wrist" and its etiology are also discussed.     

Trigger Wrist

Trigger wrist is a relatively rare disease compared to trigger finger, which is the most common disorder found in hands. Patients with trigger wrist usually complain about the following symptoms: snapping and clicking or triggering around carpal tunnel with or without mild to moderate median neuropathy. There are a total of five cases of trigger wrist: three cases of anomalous muscle belly of flexor digitorum superficialis and two cases of fibroma around flexor tendon sheath within carpal tunnel. This study reports on two of those cases: one with anomalous muscle and the other with fibroma of flexor tendon sheath. Accurate examination and proper diagnosis are mandatory to obviate improper and time-wasting treatment for patients with trigger wrist.     

Intrasynovial lipoma causing trigger wrist and carpal tunnel syndrome

Triggering of the flexor tendon at the wrist is rare. We report a case of intrasynovial lipoma that caused a trigger wrist. As far as we know it is unique in that the intrasynovial lipoma simultaneously caused carpal tunnel syndrome. The massive tenosynovitis and adhesion of flexors tendons after the locking of the intrasynovial lipoma may have resulted from inflammation caused by attrition within the carpal tunnel.     

Trigger wrist phenomenon in rheumatoid arthritis

Flexor tendon synovitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis commonly presents with a carpal tunnel syndrome and a concomitant trigger finger. Triggering at the wrist joint is in this disease an uncommon additional feature. In the two cases reported, histological examination of the tissue has indicated that, as well as chronic synovitis, there was a true rheumatoid nodule present at the wrist joint, either pedunculated or fusiform. The passage of the nodule, with a 'Click' from the proximal side of the transverse carpal ligament to the distal aspect, when the fingers are flexed, creates the sensation, signs and symptoms of a trigger wrist.     

Syndrome du canal carpien et poignet à ressaut révélant un fibrome de la gaine des fléchisseurs

The tendinous sheath fibroma (TSF) is a rare benign tumor, exceptionally responsible for carpal tunnel syndrome and “trigger” wrist: we found this association less than ten times in the English and French literature. We report the case of a 63-year-old right-handed carpenter who featured a triggering phenomenon of the right wrist during the flexion-extension movements and compression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel, secondary to a TSF of the flexor digitorum superficialis. The diagnosis was suspected at the sonography and MRI, the tumor was excised and proven histologically to be a TSF. One year later, the patient remained free of symptoms.     

Correction to: A Clinical Approach to Diagnosing Trigger Wrist

BackgroundTrigger wrist is a relatively unusual condition, produced by wrist or finger motion. The various causes of trigger wrist can originate from flexor tendon, extensor tendon, bones, or tumour. A proper clinical approach is required to diagnose and manage patients with trigger wrist.MethodsA keyword search was performed across Google Scholar and PubMed. Articles describing trigger wrist conditions were analysed. Based on the information obtain from the articles, the clinical manifestations and approach to diagnosing the cause of trigger wrist is discussed.ResultsA detailed history alone may lead to a reasonably accurate diagnosis. Patients can present with trigger wrist occurring during movement of the fingers or with wrist movements. Presence of tenderness around A1 pulley suggest trigger finger. Absence of tenderness over the A1 pulley may suggest trigger wrist. The wrist should be examined for any swelling or malunion around the wrist joint. Palpate for any bony prominence, clicking, or crepitus with the movement of the wrist. Examination for the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome should be performed. A simple radiograph of the wrist joint is needed to see any possible bony pathology such as malunion, instability or arthritis of the carpal bone. For soft tissue assessment ultrasound would be a good choice and can be done during finger or wrist movement. MRI is useful for further assessment of space occupying lesion within the carpal tunnel and is useful for surgical planning. Nerve conduction study is indicated for patients with median nerve compression symptoms. During the initial stage, the patient should be advised for activity modification to reduce the wrist and finger movements. Surgical treatment will depend on the causative factor. Surgery done under local anaesthesia has the advantage of reconfirming with the patient, resolution of triggering during surgery by asking the patient to actively move the fingers or wrist. ConclusionsTrigger wrist is a relatively rare condition compared with trigger finger, which is the most common disorder of the hand. To avoid inadequate and ineffective treatment of patients with trigger wrist, careful examination and proper diagnosis are vital.     

Carpal tunnel syndrome: a question of hand and wrist configurations?

This study investigated whether there is an association between hand and wrist configurations and the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome. The external hand and wrist dimensions of 50 subjects with carpal tunnel syndrome and 50 healthy volunteers were measured and compared. In addition carpal tunnel depth and width were determined with ultrasound. Our results showed that the hand length was significantly higher in the control group (hand length, 19.0; SD, 1.0 cm: patients' hand length, 18.2; SD, 1.1cm) and the palm width was significantly greater in the patients' group (palm width, 9.1; SD, 0.7 cm: controls palm width, 8.6; SD, 0.6 cm). Carpal tunnel syndrome patients had a squarer wrist (wrist ratio, 0.72; SD, 0.1) and carpal tunnel (carpal tunnel ratio, 0.48; SD, 0.1) than the controls (wrist ratio, 0.68; SD, 0.1; carpal tunnel ratio, 0.42; SD, 0.1). These findings indicate that the anatomy of the hand, wrist and carpal tunnel may predispose to carpal tunnel syndrome.     

Acute carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to septic arthritis of the wrist

A case of acute carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to septic arthritis of the wrist is reported. Treatment consisted of carpal tunnel release, incision and drainage of the wrist joint, intravenous injection of antibiotics, and delayed primary closure. The infection resolved and median nerve function promptly returned to normal. We believe this is the first report of septic arthritis of the wrist as a cause of acute carpal tunnel syndrome.     

Carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to wrist and finger flexor spasticity

Ten patients with spastic wrist flexion deformities secondary to traumatic brain injury were evaluated for carpal tunnel syndrome. The angle of wrist flexion deformity averaged 75 degrees (range, 58 to 115 degrees). Nerve conduction studies demonstrated prolonged median motor and/or sensory latencies in all patients. Preoperative wick catheter measurements of carpal tunnel pressures in eight patients averaged 11 mm Hg in the resting position, 21 mm Hg in maximal wrist flexion, and 15 mm Hg in maximal extension. Each patient had carpal tunnel release with simultaneous wrist and finger flexor tendon releases or lengthenings. At surgery nine of the median nerves were constricted at the proximal edge of the transverse carpal ligament. The presence of normal carpal tunnel pressures and impingement of the median nerve at the proximal edge of the transverse carpal ligament indicates that the chronically flexed posture of the wrist resulted in median nerve compression, and this condition may be aggravated by underlying pressure from the spastic finger flexors.     

Carpal tunnel syndrome in paraplegic patients

Thirty-eight (49 per cent) of seventy-seven paraplegic patients whose level of injury was at or caudad to the second thoracic vertebra were found to have signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome was found to increase with the length of time after the injury. In the eighteen patients in whom manometric studies were done, the carpal tunnel pressures when the wrist was in the neutral position were higher than those that have been reported in non-paraplegic patients who did not have carpal tunnel syndrome but were lower than the values in non-paraplegic patients who did have the syndrome. When the wrist was in flexion, the pressures were similar to the values that have been reported for non-paraplegic patients. However, in the paraplegic patients, regardless of whether or not they had carpal tunnel syndrome, the pressures that developed when the wrist was in extension were significantly higher than those in non-paraplegic patients, regardless of whether or not they had carpal tunnel syndrome. Most of the activities of daily living of paraplegic patients, including the maneuver to relieve ischial pressure that consists of arising from the seated position using the extended arms, are performed with the wrists locked in maximum extension. The pressure that develops in the carpal canal during this forced extension of the wrist, probably combined with the repetitive trauma to the volar aspect of the extended wrist while propelling a wheelchair, contributes to the high frequency with which carpal tunnel syndrome is found in paraplegic patients.     

Comparison of range-of-motion constraints provided by prefabricated splints used in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: a pilot study.

Nocturnal splinting of the wrist is commonly used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. Rationales for overnight wrist splinting are based on several research studies, which suggest that passively and actively sustained positions of the wrist and digits during sleep contribute to elevated carpal tunnel pressures. The types of splints used for carpal tunnel syndrome include custom and prefabricated orthoses of many variations. The purpose of this paper is to assess the resting and passive range-of-motion position restrictions and parameters provided by four prefabricated orthoses commonly prescribed for or used by patients at the authors' treatment facility. A literature review provides information that supports optimal wrist and finger positioning to minimize resting carpal tunnel pressures. This information may be useful in determining the most effective splint design choices.     

Stress carpal tunnel pressures in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and normal patients

Twenty-two patients with carpal tunnel syndrome scheduled to have a carpal tunnel release, and six volunteer control subjects had carpal tunnel pressures measured with their wrist in neutral position, maximum flexion, and maximum extension. The wrist was then repetitively flexed and extended to maximum position at a rate of 30 full cycles per minute for 1 minute. Pressures were then continually monitored and recorded at 30-second intervals. The pressures were found to be significantly elevated in the immediate post-exercise period in the patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, and they demonstrated a prolonged recovery time to reach the resting pressure when compared with the normal control subjects. This property of prolonged recovery time in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome suggests a possible cause for carpal tunnel syndrome in the occupational setting.     

Effect of wrist posture on carpal tunnel pressure while typing

Long weekly hours of keyboard use may lead to or aggravate carpal tunnel syndrome. The effects of typing on fluid pressure in the carpal tunnel, a possible mediator of carpal tunnel syndrome, are unknown. Twenty healthy subjects participated in a laboratory study to investigate the effects of typing at different wrist postures on carpal tunnel pressure of the right hand. Changes in wrist flexion/extension angle (p = 0.01) and radial/ulnar deviation angle (p = 0.03) independently altered carpal tunnel pressure; wrist deviations in extension or radial deviation were associated with an increase in pressure. The activity of typing independently elevated carpal tunnel pressure (p = 0.001) relative to the static hand held in the same posture. This information can guide the design and use of keyboards and workstations in order to minimize carpal tunnel pressure while typing. The findings may also be useful to clinicians and ergonomists in the management of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome who use a keyboard. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:1269–1273, 2008     

Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and multiple trigger fingers in a child with mucolipidosis Type III disease

This report presents a five-year-old girl with mucolipidosis Type III disease who had bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and eight trigger fingers. Bilateral open carpal tunnel release was performed. The trigger fingers were treated with A1 and A3 pulleys release and the ulnar slips of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendons were removed.KEY WORDS: Carpal tunnel syndrome, lysosomal storage disease, mucopolysaccharidosis, mucolipidosis Type III, trigger finger     

Effects of static fingertip loading on carpal tunnel pressure

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between carpal tunnel pressure and fingertip force during a simple pressing task. Carpal tunnel pressure was measured in 15 healthy volunteers by means of a saline-filled catheter inserted percutaneously into the carpal tunnel of the nondominant hand. The subjects pressed on a load cell with the tip of the index finger and with 0, 6, 9, and 12 N of force. The task was repeated in 10 wrist postures: neutral; 10 and 20° of ulnar deviation; 10° of radial deviation; and 15, 30, and 45° of both flexion and extension. Fingertip loading significantly increased carpal tunnel pressure for all wrist angles (p = 0.0001). Post hoc analyses identified significant increases (p <0.05) in carpal tunnel pressure between unloaded (0 N) and all loaded conditions, as well as between the 6 and 12 N load conditions. This study demonstrates that the process whereby fingertip loading elevates carpal tunnel pressure is independent of wrist posture and that relatively small fingertip loads have a large effect on carpal tunnel pressure. It also reveals the response characteristics of carpal tunnel pressure to fingertip loading, which is one step in understanding the relationship between sustained grip and pinch activities and the aggravation or development of median neuropathy at the wrist.     

Effect of wrist position on power grip and key pinch strength following carpal tunnel decompression

Power grip and thumb key pinch strength were measured pre- and immediately postoperatively in 30 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome while the wrist was in flexion and extension. The carpal tunnel decompression was performed under local infiltration with 1% lignocaine. Grip strength decreased more in wrist flexion than in wrist extension. No difference was found in thumb pinch strength. The authors conclude that some of the immediate postoperative loss of grip strength in wrist flexion can be attributed to prolapse of flexor tendons out of the carpal tunnel in this position.     

Sensitivity and specificity of clinical testing for carpal tunnel syndrome

OBJECTIVE:

The present study evaluated the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of six clinical tests in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

METHODS:

There were 29 carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) subjects (mean age 48 years) and 30 control subjects (mean age 45 years). The six clinical tests included Tinel’s sign, wrist flexion with fingers extended, wrist flexion with fingers flexed, wrist extension, combined wrist extension/median nerve pressure and combined wrist flexion/median nerve pressure.

RESULTS:

The highest sensitivity and highest negative predictive value was found with wrist flexion with pressure (96%) and wrist extension with pressure (94%) at 60 s. The highest specificity was found with wrist flexion with fingers flexed for 30 s (95%). The highest positive predictive values were found with the wrist flexion with fingers flexed test for 30 s (91%) and the wrist extension test for 30 s (90%).

CONCLUSION:

No one test possesses all the qualities necessary to be the ideal clinical test for the detection of carpal tunnel syndrome.     

Which Outcome Measure is the Best? Evaluating Responsiveness of the Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire,the Michigan Hand Questionnaire and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale Following Hand and Wrist Surgery

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the responsiveness of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, the Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ), and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist pain, finger contracture, or tumor. Eighty-one subjects prospectively completed each questionnaire shortly before and 3 and 6 months after surgery. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Newman–Keuls multiple comparison tests. Responsiveness to clinical change was calculated using standardized response means. The DASH was responsive for those with carpal tunnel syndrome (0.77), wrist pain (0.61), and tumor (0.55); the MHQ was responsive for those with carpal tunnel syndrome (1.04), wrist pain (0.87), and finger contracture (0.62); and the PSFS was responsive for those with carpal tunnel syndrome (0.65) and finger contracture (0.64). The interval during which the highest responsiveness occurred for the carpal tunnel, wrist pain, and finger contracture groups was the preoperative to 6-month period. The tumor group experienced the highest responsiveness during the preoperative to 3-month period. Our results indicate that one or more of the instruments evaluated are suitable for outcomes research related to surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist pain, finger contracture, and tumor.     

关节镜镜视下行腕横韧带切开术

目的 介绍在关节镜镜视下行腕横韧带切开术治疗腕管综合的方法。方法 1999年3月以来，对15例（18侧）腕管综合征采用Chow两点法在关节镜镜视下行腕横韧带切开术。腕管入口位于腕横纹近端2－3cm，掌长肌腱尺侧缘。腕关节背伸位时，将带槽套管自腕管入口处对准第3指蹼方向插入，从腕管远端穿出。在关节镜监控下用钩刀切开腕横韧带。结果 术后随访2－16上月，平均7个月。术后桡侧3指半的感觉已恢复正常。3例有拇指对掌功能和大鱼际肌萎缩者，术后3－6个月均恢复正常。无血管神经损伤和感染等并发症发生。结论 关节镜镜视下切开腕横韧带治疗腕管综合征是安全有效的微创手术。     

The anatomical site of constriction of the median nerve in patients with severe idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome

During open carpal tunnel release in patients with severe idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome, an area of constriction in the substance of the median nerve is frequently noted. In a prospective study of 30 patients, the central point of the constricted part of the nerve was determined intraoperatively and found to be, on average, 2.5 (range 2.2-2.8)cm from the distal wrist crease. This point always corresponded to the location of the hook of the hamate bone. These intraoperative findings were compared with the "narrowest" point of the carpal canal as determined by anatomical and radiological studies in the literature.