Efficacy of local corticosteroid injection in trigger finger treatment

Flexor tendon entrapment of the digits [FTED] is a disorder characterized by snapping or locking of the thumb or fingers [with or without pain] and called trigger finger. Corticosteroid injections are one of the most commonly used treatments for chronic tendon disorders. Despite their popularity, the systematic evidence for their benefits are largely lacking. This study tries to determine the efficacy of local corticosteroid injection in treatment of trigger finger. This is a clinical trial research. Variables including local tenderness, trigerring stage, pain during isometric flexion and passive stretching of the tendon [based on VAS] were evaluated before local injection of corticosteroid and then 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after the injection. Data was collected by special forms and analyzed using Chi square and ANOVA Tests. The difference between persence of AI pulley tenderness hi 4 examinations was significant [p<0.0001]. The difference between pain induced by isometric flexion and pain induced by stretching the tendon passively in extension was also significant [both p<0.0001]. The difference between frequency distribution of triggering was significant [p<0.0001]. Patients satisfaction was 90%. The rate of success in local corticosteroid injection was 90% [only with one injection]. The high rate of success and low side effects, make this method a suitable treatment for trigger finger

Results of old posterior crutiate ligament [PCL] avulsion fixation of knee in St. A; Zahra hospital

Many references recommend reconstruction surgical method, for treatment of old posterior crutiate ligament avulsion [PCL], in spite of its adverse side effects, difficult surgical procedure and poor long term results. This study was conducted for the first time designed to determine the results of the treatment of the old PCL avulsion by open reduction and fixation. We tried to determine the efficacy of old PCL avulsion fixation, during a clinical trial with non-randomized sampling, on 15 patients. All patients had giving way instability, pain while climbing and pain while long walking; and had grade III PDT in physical examination. Data were analyzed by using Chi square test. The frequency of knee instability before and after operation, in 30 and 90 degree flexion, had significant difference [P<0.001]. Giving way, had significant difference before and after operation as well, [P<0.001]. The frequency of pain while walking and climbing, also had significant difference [P<0.001]. In the 15 patients who underwent PCL fixation, the grade of instability reduced to grade I. As therapeutic value of this method is the same as current renewal methods besides its easier procedure and less side effects, so it is recommended to use it necessarily in old PCL. Further studies with larger sample size and prolonged follow up are recommended