The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacies of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and corticosteroid injection for the management of trigger finger. In this prospective randomized clinical trial, 40 patients with actively correctable trigger fingers were randomly assigned to extracorporeal shock wave therapy (1000 impulses and 2.1 bar) or injection groups. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed using cure rates, a visual analogue scale, the frequency of triggering, the severity of triggering, the functional impact of triggering, and the Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. An intention-to- treat analysis was used in this study. Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all outcome measures after treatment. The intention-to-treat analyses showed no between-group differences for cure rates, pain, and functional status at follow-up. We conclude that extracorporeal shock wave therapy could be a non-invasive option for treating trigger finger, especially for those patients who wish to avoid steroid injections.

Level of evidence: Level II.