Comparing Surgical Incisions for Trigger Finger

This study is comparing two different surgical approaches for treating trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis), a condition where your finger gets stuck or locks. Doctors will perform either a longitudinal (straight) or transverse (across the palm) incision during the A1 Pulley Release procedure. They want to see if one type of incision leads to better hand function, less pain, better scar healing, and a quicker return to daily activities 6 weeks after surgery. You may be able to join if you are an adult (18 years or older) with trigger finger in a finger (not your thumb) and haven't had previous surgery on that finger. The study aims to enroll 200 participants, but its current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is a randomized controlled trial comparing two surgical incision types. It plans to enroll 200 adult participants.
What's involved
You would undergo a surgical procedure (Open A1 Pulley Release) with either a longitudinal or transverse incision. Your upper extremity score will be measured approximately 6 weeks after surgery.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your recovery will be assessed approximately 6 weeks after surgery.

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NCT07516652

Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Longitudinal vs. Transverse A1 Pulley Release

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
Washington University School of Medicine
~200 participants
Updated 2026-04-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Open A1 Pulley Release

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
PROMIS Upper Extremity Score
Measured over Approximately 6 weeks post-operatively
Trigger Finger
Stenosing Tenosynovitis
2 sites across 2 states
Illinois1
Missouri1
  • Jason Strelzow, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery Division of Hand and Microsurgery, Washington University in St Louis
  • Ryan Calfee, MD · STUDY_CHAIR · Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery Division of Hand and Microsurgery Chief, Hand and Microsurgery Service Medical Director, Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Orthopedic Center
  • Nisha N Kale, MD · STUDY_DIRECTOR · Washington University in St. Louis Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adult patients (age ≥ 18 years)
Diagnosed with trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) of a finger (excluding the thumb)
Written informed consent obtained

Exclusion

Revision surgery
Previous surgery on the affected finger
Patients refusing consent
  • PROMIS Upper Extremity ScoreApproximately 6 weeks post-operatively

    Patient-reported upper extremity function measured by the PROMIS Upper Extremity (UE) scale (range: 0-100, where higher scores indicate better upper extremity function).