Objective: To explore the efficacy of ultrasound-guided needle-knife with precise three-dimensional stereotactic localization of ashi points for stenosing tenosynovitis of flexor tendon (trigger finger).
Methods: A total of 74 patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 37 cases in each group. The patients in the observation group were treated with ultrasound-guided intrathecal injection and releasing method of needle-knife, while the patients in the control group were treated with ultrasound-guided intrathecal injection. The self-made 9-score scale of trigger finger was recorded before treatment, immediately after treatment, 1 month and 3 months after treatment; the curative effect of the two groups was evaluated.
Results: The results of self-made 9-score scale in the observation group immediately after treatment, 1 month and 3 months after treatment were lower than that before treatment (all P<0.01); the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group at each time point after treatment (all P<0.01). The excellent and good rate immediately after treatment was 100.0% (37/37) in the observation group, which was superior to 8.1% (3/37) in the control group (P<0.05); the cured rates in the observation group were 100.0% (37/37) 1 month after treatment and 97.3% (36/37) 3 months after treatment, which were superior to 13.5% (5/37) and 10.8% (4/37) in the control group, respectively (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The needle-knife with three-dimensional stereotaxic location of ashi point could significantly improve the symptoms of trigger finger, with superior immediate and long-term efficacy.
Keywords: ashi point; needle-knife; stenosing tenosynovitis of flexor tendon; three-dimensional positioning; trigger finger; ultrasonic guidance.