This study investigates if there is any difference in preventing of triggering of fingers after injection with either dexamethasone or triamcinolone corticosteroid for trigger finger. Although there were no differences 3 months after injection, their results suggested that triamcinolone may have a more rapid but less log lasting effect on trigger finger than does dexamethasone. J Hand surg (Am) 2008 33A 516-522.
Mike Hayton would still recommend both types of injections in the treatment of trigger finger and agrees that the condition will be improved in 50-70% in his practice with one injection. A further trigger finger injection may be offered but patients usually undergo surgical release with local anaesthetic as a day case in refractory cases. Click here for further trigger finger information.