Cut or remove? study tests best surgery for stuck fingers

NCT ID NCT05251428

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

Trigger finger happens when a finger gets stuck in a bent position due to a thickened tendon pulley. This study compared two standard surgeries: cutting the pulley versus removing a piece of it. 80 adults were randomly assigned to one surgery and followed for a year to see which led to less pain and fewer recurrences.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

surgery (incision or excision of the A1 pulley)

What this could lead to

If one method proves better, it could become the preferred surgical approach for trigger finger, lowering recurrence and improving pain relief.

What could go wrong

This is a small, single-center study with only 80 participants. Results may not apply to everyone, and both surgeries carry standard surgical risks like infection or stiffness.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

trigger thumb

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • 12 Executive Park Drive

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States

  • Emory Musculoskeletal Institute

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States

  • Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States

  • Emory Orthopedic and Spine Hospital

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30084, United States

  • Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30342, United States

  • Emory at Dunwoody

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30338, United States