Effectiveness of Acupuncture and Acupotomy for Trigger Finger: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Trigger finger is a common cause of hand disability that results in finger catching, clicking, or locking. Conventional treatment options such as medication, injection, and surgery have limitations. Studies have indicated that acupuncture and acupotomy can be effective in treating trigger finger. However, no review regarding these treatment modalities has been published yet. This review included randomized controlled trials published until January 2023, investigating acupuncture-related interventions. The primary outcomes of interest included the effectiveness rate (ER) and pain intensity, measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and secondary outcomes were the Quinnell grade (QG) and recurrence rate (RR). Adverse events (AEs) have also been reported wherever available. Overall, 19 studies were included, and results demonstrated that arcedge acupuncture improved the ER and QG and reduced NRS, and acupuncture was effective in reducing VAS. Compared with conventional surgery, acupotomy alone improved the ER and QG and lowered VAS and RR, with relatively fewer AEs. Acupotomy add-on treatment was more effective than conventional treatment; however, careful interpretation is needed for VAS. Acupotomy add-on treatment was more effective than acupotomy alone. However, the overall results must be interpreted with caution because of study quality, small sample size, and heterogeneity of the results.

Acupotomy in Korean Medicine Doctors: A Preliminary Survey on Experiences, Perceptions, and Clinical Usage Status

“…Doing so aims to restore the local tissue’s blood circulation and bring it back to its original dynamic state [ 2 , 3 ]. Acupotomy has been used for musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, trigger finger, and lumbar disc herniation [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Moreover, case reports demonstrate the application of acupotomy for diseases other than musculoskeletal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, and the treatment of atrophic scars caused by skin adhesions [ 9 , 10 ].…”