Posters

Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position

Blake C. Martin

Academic Level (Author 1)

Medical Student

Academic Level (Author 2)

Faculty

Academic Level (Author 3)

Faculty

Discipline/Specialty (Author 3)

Orthopedic Surgery

Discipline Track

Clinical Science

Abstract Type

Research/Clinical

Abstract

Background: Trigger finger is a relatively common condition that may affect daily activities. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is a health professional shortage area with a unique patient population. Our primary objective in this study was to analyze patients with various pre-existing medical conditions and determine if there was an association with the risk of trigger finger release surgery.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review using the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) UTHealth electronic database utilizing medical charts from January 1, 2018, to January 1, 2025. We collected and analyzed medical charts of patients who were diagnosed with various pre-existing medical conditions using ICD-10 codes, and individuals who underwent trigger finger release surgery using current procedural terminology codes. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted, and results were reported as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. All analyses were performed with R statistical software.

Results: None of the analyzed conditions proved to be significant protective or risk factors according to bivariate analysis. However, multivariate analysis showed that immunodeficiency and alcohol misuse increased the odds of requiring trigger finger release surgery by 3.3 and 2.2 times, respectively.

Conclusion: Our results expand the knowledge on individuals who may be at increased risk for surgical release of trigger finger. Physicians and other healthcare providers may use this knowledge to help evaluate the risk of surgery when caring for individuals with trigger finger, especially in the RGV and underserved communities, allowing more prompt treatment and possibly a more favorable prognosis.

Presentation Type

Poster

Included in

Orthopedics Commons

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The Association Between Pre-existing Medical Conditions and Trigger Finger Release in a Medically Underserved Region

Background: Trigger finger is a relatively common condition that may affect daily activities. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is a health professional shortage area with a unique patient population. Our primary objective in this study was to analyze patients with various pre-existing medical conditions and determine if there was an association with the risk of trigger finger release surgery.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review using the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) UTHealth electronic database utilizing medical charts from January 1, 2018, to January 1, 2025. We collected and analyzed medical charts of patients who were diagnosed with various pre-existing medical conditions using ICD-10 codes, and individuals who underwent trigger finger release surgery using current procedural terminology codes. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted, and results were reported as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. All analyses were performed with R statistical software.

Results: None of the analyzed conditions proved to be significant protective or risk factors according to bivariate analysis. However, multivariate analysis showed that immunodeficiency and alcohol misuse increased the odds of requiring trigger finger release surgery by 3.3 and 2.2 times, respectively.

Conclusion: Our results expand the knowledge on individuals who may be at increased risk for surgical release of trigger finger. Physicians and other healthcare providers may use this knowledge to help evaluate the risk of surgery when caring for individuals with trigger finger, especially in the RGV and underserved communities, allowing more prompt treatment and possibly a more favorable prognosis.

 

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