Histology of the tendon sheath in tigger finger

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Describe the histology of the proximal end of the tendon sheath in trigger fingers, and to ascertain whether there is a rational basis for the use of local steroids in this condition. METHOD: Excised portions of tendon sheaths in 16 consecutive patients were submitted for routine histology. None of the patients had previous steroid injection or any intercurrent systemic disease. The specimens were assessed for evidence of acute and chronic inflammation. RESULTS: The age range of the patients was 29-68 (Median: 54) with 5 males and 11 females, and the duration of illness ranged from 3 weeks to 9 months. A total of 15 specimens were studied (one lost in processing). All the specimens were of fibrous tissue. None of the specimens showed infiltration with cells of acute inflammation, but 10 specimens showed mild chronic inflammation (less than 25 mononuclear cells per high power field). The other five showed moderate chronic inflammation (25-100 per high power field). CONCLUSIONS: The histology of the tendon sheath in trigger finger has not been previously studied. This study suggests that inflammation is not a dominant feature.