Patients notice a tender swelling below the finger or thumb with a "snap" when they try to bend it. Most are seen in older patients, but can occur at any age. It is common in diabetics.
Investigations
A specialist clinical examination is usually sufficient.
Non-surgical treatment
Initial treatment is by steroid injection and often this is all that is required.
Surgical treatment
If this is not successful, or if the condition reoccurs, then a minor procedure performed under local anaesthetic is performed to free up the tendon. Diabetic patients do better with surgery straight away.
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