Management of stenosing flexor tenosynovitis in primary care (2024)

Opening Vignette.

Madam Liang, a 52-year-old housewife who is righthanded, visited your clinic with complaints of pain and a ‘clicking’ sensation of her right ring finger for the last 3 weeks. She had been managed by her family physician for diabetes mellitus and hypertension over the last 8 years. Her symptoms were initially mild, with only a painful lump over the base of her affected finger. However, of late, she noticed that her ring finger joints would occasionally lock in a flexed position, for which she would need to manually extend using her left hand.

She revealed that she had recently picked up gardening as a hobby, which frequently involves repetitive use of handheld gardening tools (e.g. pruning shears) and carrying of heavy watering cans. The self-help remedies she attempted, such as consuming paracetamol and massaging her ring finger with Chinese medicated oil, provided minimal relief. She was frustrated that the pain had begun to interfere with her other household chores and was keen for treatment.

WHAT IS STENOSING FLEXOR TENOSYNOVITIS?

Stenosing flexor tenosynovitis is a common hand disorder with characteristic symptoms of pain, catching, snapping or loss of function of the affected digit. Commonly referred to as ‘trigger finger’ in clinical practice, this informal name is derived from the classical phenomenon of locking of the digit elicited by flexion or extension of the finger.

Normally, during finger flexion, the flexor tendon glides smoothly under its anchoring pulleys [Figure 1]. In trigger finger, however, pathological metaplasia and thickening of the pulley structures[1] cause friction and entrapment of the underlying flexor tendon during finger manoeuvres. This impingement corresponds to the classical symptom of painful ‘catching’ of the finger experienced by the patient. Typically, the first annular pulley (A1) located over the metacarpophalangeal joint is most frequently affected. The dominant hand is also observed to be the more susceptible side, with the thumb, middle and ring fingers being the most affected digits.[2,3]

Figure 1.

Management of stenosing flexor tenosynovitis in primary care (1)

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HOW CAN ONE MINIMISE THE RISK OF THIS DISORDER?

While the exact aetiology is not fully understood to date, studies have postulated that a history of flexor tendon overuse may play a contributory role. Hand manoeuvres involving power gripping and repetitive digital flexion generate high power gradient and local traumatic injury to the finger flexor system.[4] One study observed a higher incidence of trigger finger in labourers who were assigned with unaccustomed tasks at work.[5] However, further data is required before an association between the disease and high-risk occupations can be established. Nevertheless, it may still be prudent to advise patients to avoid such activities to prevent exacerbation of symptoms and mitigate risk of recurrence. In practical terms, patients should be cautioned, especially in occupations involving the use of high-powered vibrating power equipment (e.g. hammer drills, polishers) or hobbies encompassing constant gripping of handheld tools or handlebars (e.g. gardening, biking).[6]

HOW IS THIS RELEVANT TO MY PRACTICE?

Trigger finger has a bimodal distribution. Its first peak of incidence is seen in children younger than 8 years, while its second peak manifests later in the fifth to sixth decade of life. In the adult (more common) group, women are observed to be more frequently affected.[4]

While the lifetime risk of developing trigger finger is estimated to be 2.6% in the general population, diabetics are at a higher predisposition (4%–10%).[7] The prevalence of trigger finger is comparable between patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.[7] Interestingly, in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, the incidence of trigger finger correlates more with the duration of the diabetes mellitus rather than glycaemic control. In addition, diabetic patients tend to display a more intractable course of the disease (e.g. multiple digit involvement), longer duration of symptoms as well as poorer response to conservative treatment.[8] Patients with other inflammatory disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and gout have also been observed to be more susceptible to developing trigger finger concomitantly [Box 1].[9]

Box 1.

Conditions associated with higher incidence of trigger finger.

Systemic
 Diabetes mellitus (both type 1 and type 2)
 Hypothyroidism
 Gout
 Renal failure
 Amyloidosis
Local
 Carpal tunnel syndrome
 De Quervain’s tenosynovitis

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WHY IS THIS RELEVANT TO MY PRACTICE?

As trigger finger is commonly encountered in primary care, primary care physicians should be familiar with the range of treatment options available, especially because most trigger finger cases can first be safely managed in a primary care setting before the patient is referred to a hand surgeon.

At the point of diagnosis, it is important that the physician is adept at patient education and counselling of treatment options. As different treatment modalities have varying success rates, it is also paramount to facilitate the patients’ understanding of their condition and manage their expectations accordingly. Additionally, treatment options such as corticosteroid injections confer procedural risks. Therefore, thorough pre-procedure counselling and skilful injection technique are crucial.

Management of trigger finger in primary care also involves prompt recognition of severe and advanced stages of the disease. Early recognition ensures that timely and appropriate referrals are made to a hand surgeon for consideration of definitive surgical intervention.

WHAT CAN I DO IN MY PRACTICE?

Presentation and early identification

Trigger finger is a clinical diagnosis. Unless other diagnoses such as fracture, tumour or infection cannot be safely excluded (e.g. history of preceding trauma), imaging is usually not necessary. Understanding the natural progression of the disease is important in order to identify the disorder at various stages to establish the correct diagnosis. The severity of the disorder can be graded according to Green's classification [Table 1].

Table 1.

Green’s classification: four grades of severity of trigger finger.

GradeSymptom
I: PainPain or tenderness over A1 pulley
II: CatchingDemonstrate catching but can actively extend the digit
III: LockingIIIA: Demonstrable catching that requires passive extension IIIB: Inability to actively flex
IV: FixedFixed flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint

In the early stages of the disease, patients may present with painless clicking or stiffness of the affected digit. Some patients complain of waking up to find the digit locked, with progressive loosening later in the day. As the disease progresses, patients experience painful catching or locking of the finger, which may require passive extension with the unaffected hand (Grade II).

Occasionally, patients may not always present with the classical complaints of catching or ‘locking’ of the finger. In fact, some patients first present at the clinic with signs of late stages of the disease (e.g. Grade IIIB), due to initial delay in seeking medical attention when the condition first arose. In contrast to other hand conditions such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis, the joints of the affected digit are usually not swollen or erythematous despite complaints of pain. In trigger finger, a thickened and tender A1 pulley can be palpated just distal to the transverse palmar crease, which further distinguishes it from other hand conditions. The presence of this ‘painful nodule’ and the absence of prior trauma further support the suspicion of trigger finger in Grade IIIB.

In the advanced stage, patients may learn to intentionally avoid active use of the finger to evade painful triggering, eventually resulting in the development of fixed finger joint contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint (Grade IV).

The cornerstone of initial trigger finger management includes patient education, risk mitigation, splinting and analgesia; further management will include corticosteroid injection and surgical release. As the efficacy and associated risks of each treatment modality vary significantly, it is important to factor in each patient's individual preferences, comorbidities, severity of the disorder as well as duration of symptoms.

Non-surgical management

Splinting, finger exercises, analgesia and activity modification

Splinting and tendon gliding exercises are a low-risk and unobtrusive treatment option, particularly for patients who are not keen for more invasive treatments such as corticosteroid injections.

Splinting at different times of the day serves separate purposes. While splinting during the day mitigates unintentional overuse of the affected digit during daily activities, night-time splinting obviates locking of the finger during sleep. Various splint forms, such as oval-8 finger splints [Figure 2], are affordable and easily accessible for purchase online.

Figure 2.

Management of stenosing flexor tenosynovitis in primary care (2)

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Splinting should be combined with flexor tendon gliding exercises, which aids to reduce friction between the thickened tendons and the pulley structures. Simple tendon gliding exercises can be taught by a certified hand occupational therapist or self-learned on multiple online video platforms such as YouTube. Exercises should be performed several times throughout the day with temporary removal of the splint.

In addition, patients should be advised against engaging in activities involving strong hand gripping both during and after treatment to minimise the risk of recurrence. Other adjunctive measures such as a short course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for acute pain relief may also be considered if no contraindications for use are present.

Instructions on the optimal duration of splinting vary in literature. In general, a duration of wear of at least 4–6 weeks is recommended. Based on the European HANDGUIDE study, the European Delphi consensus strategy concluded that there is no optimal orthotic regimen, and treatment duration should be individually tailored to each patient's symptom duration, severity and preferences.[10]

Treatment responses also yield a variety of results. Some studies report a resolution of symptoms after splinting in approximately 50%–65% of the patients.[11,12] A local study in Singapore General Hospital (SGH) observed that a combination therapy of splinting, NSAIDs and occupational therapy was more effective than corticosteroid injections in avoiding subsequent surgery in lower-grade trigger digits.[13] However, poorer treatment response has also been associated with longer disease duration, advanced disease stages and comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus.[4]

Corticosteroid injections

Corticosteroid injections have been widely regarded as the mainstay of conservative treatment. A highly viable and efficacious treatment modality, it can be administered immediately with prompt pain relief within 10–20 days.[14]

While its efficacy has been reported to be as high as 93%, the risk of recurrence is not trivial, with an overall long-term treatment success reported as low as 45% after the first injection in some studies.[15,16] Of note, the success rate is lower in patients with diabetes mellitus, a longer disease duration (>6 months) and multiple digit involvement. Furthermore, patients should be warned that administering more than two injections in a lifetime into the same digit is not recommended due to the risk of tendon rupture. The second dose is also half as likely to be effective if symptoms persist or recur after the first dose.[17]

It is important to note that while corticosteroid injections are putative in adult trigger fingers, management in the paediatric population differs and corticosteroid injections should never be administered in affected children. Paediatric trigger finger is a separate condition from adult trigger finger and should not be managed in primary care. Any child presenting with signs of triggering or locking should be referred directly to a hand surgeon for tertiary management.

Appropriate pre-procedural counselling on the potential risks and consent taking must be performed by a trained and competent physician with adequate procedural experience. Although relatively uncommon overall, potential complications, including bleeding, iatrogenic infections (e.g. infective flexor tenosynovitis), post-injection steroid flare (30%), neurovascular injury, tendon rupture, skin hypopigmentation, fat atrophy, transient derangement of blood glucose levels (in diabetic patients) and risk of recurrence (30%–40%), may occur.

Box 2 provides detailed descriptions on the technique for corticosteroid injection.

Box 2.

Detailed procedure for corticosteroid injection.

Preparation
 Typically, a 1-mL mixture of equal portions of a steroid (0.5 mL triamcinolone) and a local anaesthetic (0.5 mL of 1% lignocaine or 0.5% Marcaine) is drawn in a 5-mL syringe. The patient should be positioned with his/her hand supine.
Step 1: Landmark
 Identify the A1 pulley by palpating a firm nodule located along the midline of the base of the digit, between the distal transverse palmar crease and the metacarpophalangeal flexor crease [Figure 3].
Step 2: Pre-injection cleansing
 Clean the site generously with chlorhexidine-alcohol. Allow the site to dry.
Step 3: Injection
 (a) Hold the syringe like a pen, introduce the 23G needle gently at a 45° angle to the skin and administer the injectant subcutaneously while applying constant firm pressure on the plunger.
 (b) Studies have shown that intra-sheath and extra-sheath administration do not confer any significant difference.[21] Ultrasound guidance does not add any significant clinical benefit compared to blind administration.[22]
Step 4: Post-injection management
 (a) To reduce the risk of infection, doctors should advise patients to avoid contact with water for several hours. It is advisable to schedule a clinic review a few days later to monitor for symptom review and any post-procedure complications.
 (b) In the interim, patients should be educated to self-monitor for signs of infection at home (e.g. fever, erythema, swelling, marked tenderness). It should be emphasised that a post-injection steroid flare generally occurs within 24 h post-procedure and is usually self-limiting in nature.
 (c) In the event of a steroid flare, local remedies such as an ice pack can be used. True iatrogenic infection, however, is not transient and would persist beyond 24 h. It is crucial to highlight this distinction to patients, as iatrogenic infection condition should prompt immediate medical attention.

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Figure 3.

Management of stenosing flexor tenosynovitis in primary care (3)

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Surgical management

In severe cases, such as a fixed flexion deformity of the digit (Green's Grade IV) or a failure of conservative treatment, a referral to a hand surgeon for consideration of surgical release is appropriate. Certain patient groups in particular, such as those with inflammatory arthropathies (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis), pose a higher risk of tendon rupture and should be referred early.[18] Operative treatment involves either open or percutaneous release of the A1 pulley.

Overall, the reported success rates are promising (>90%) with a low risk of recurrence.[3] A recent meta-analysis comparing steroid injections with open surgery concluded that open surgical treatment demonstrated a lower recurrence rate compared to injections at 6–12 months post-treatment (relative risk [RR] 0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09–0.33). Local retrospective studies observed that the risk of surgical complications (e.g. digital nerve injury, vascular injury and tendon bowstringing) is generally rare (1%) when surgery is performed by an appropriately trained hand surgeon.[19] However, patients should be precautioned of a higher incidence of postoperative pain[20] and recovery time compared to those managed with corticosteroid injections.

Generally speaking, surgical intervention should be considered for patients who have intractable disease courses (e.g. high-risk patient groups, initial treatment failure, high recurrence) and are keen for definitive management.

WHICH TREATMENT MODALITY SHOULD I CHOOSE?

To date, no clear recommendation has been made to conclude which treatment modality is superior in terms of efficacy or safety. A meta-analysis of several randomised controlled trials comparing the three treatment options concluded that steroid injection is an effective modality. However, surgery may still eventually be required for definitive management in the event of relapse.[21] A cost-minimisation analysis in the United States identified that the most cost-effective treatment strategy involves initial management with at least two trials of steroid injections (one injection followed by a second injection for relapse or failure), followed by definitive surgery if required.[19,23]

Nevertheless, it is important to note that each treatment option confers its own benefits, risks and limitations [Table 2]. It is important for the primary care physician to discuss these with the patient as well as factor in the patient's preferences before reaching an informed decision. In other words, choice of treatment of trigger finger should be an individualised one.

Table 2.

Main treatment modalities of trigger finger.

Treatment modalityRecommended patientsTreatment summaryAdvantagesDisadvantagesCaveat
Non-surgical: splinting, flexor tendon gliding exercisesPatients with conservative preferences, i.e. not keen for invasive treatment (e.g. injections, surgery) or mild symptoms/ early stage of diseaseAim: Reduce friction between the tendon sheath and the thickened pulley via immobilisation of the joint
Splint: Metacarpophalangeal joint blocking splint/oval-8 splint
Duration: 6–12 weeksa
• Non-invasive and easily accessible
• Adjustable and removable
• Low risk
• Overall lower efficacy rate
• Higher risk of poor response in certain patient populationsb
• Efficacy dependent on patient adherence and longer treatment duration until symptom improvement (2–4 months) compared to other modalities (e.g. steroid injection: 1–2 weeks)
• May interfere with daily activities (e.g. writing, driving, occupational activities)
• Risk of joint stiffness from prolonged splinting
• Risk of local skin reactions to the splint material
Combination of supportive therapy with a short course of nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs may be considered
Non-surgical: corticosteroid injectionPatients seeking quick relief of symptoms but not keen for surgical intervention, failure of splinting therapyAim: Pain relief and reversal of pathological thickening in tendon pulley structures
Injectant: 1:1 mixture of corticosteroid and local anaesthetic (e.g. triamcinolone and lignocaine)
Technique: No significant difference in efficacy between intrasheath and extrasheath administration
Counselling: Procedural risks and complications
• Prompt pain relief compared to other treatment modalities
• Overall high efficacy rate
• Shorter recovery time (less absence from work and less impact on daily activities)
• Risk of complications (e.g. bleeding, infection, neurovascular injury postinjection flare, tendon rupture, skin hypopigmentation and fat atrophy, transient blood glucose elevation)
• Higher recurrence rate than surgery (30%–50% within 3–6 months, especially in certain patient populationsb)
• Evidence regarding longterm effectiveness is lacking
A maximum of two injections per affected digit in a lifetime is recommended; injections should be at least 6 months apart
Surgical: Surgical releaseRefractory to conservative treatment or high recurrence; patients with advanced stages of disease (e.g. fixed flexion deformity) or open to surgical management for definitive treatmentAim: Surgical division of A1 pulley
Approaches: Open (common) or percutaneous; usually performed under local anaesthesia
• High success rate (>90%) with a low risk of recurrence• Surgical risks (e.g. infection, neurovascular injury, tendon bowstringing); average risk approximately 1% when performed by a trained hand surgeon[19]
• More invasive and painful than conservative management
• Longer downtime: 10–14 days (up to 4–6 weeks for activities requiring strong hand grip)
Consider early referral for patients with inflammatory arthropathies (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)

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aA longer duration may be required depending on the persistence of triggering symptoms. Splinting should be coupled with flexor tendon gliding exercises for different purposes. Splinting prevents further overuse (daytime splinting) and locking symptoms (night splinting), while finger tendon gliding exercises obviate the risk of stiffness by decreasing friction between the tendon and the pulley. The splint can be removed several times a day to perform these exercises. The gliding manoeuvres can be learnt from online videos or from an occupational therapist. bRisk factors for poor treatment response: diabetes mellitus, multiple digit involvement, symptom duration >6 months, advanced disease stage (e.g. Grade IV of Green’s classification).

MIMICKERS AND REFERRAL THRESHOLD

It is important to recognise other painful hand disorders such as occult fractures, ganglion cysts and infectious or inflammatory arthropathies, as they have similar presentations. Accurate diagnosis is pivotal to avoid inappropriate management. For example, erroneously delivering a corticosteroid injection with underlying suppurative flexor tenosynovitis could result in worsening of infection and potentially lead to the need for a finger amputation.

Therefore, it is paramount for clinicians to take a targeted history, such as eliciting any history of trauma, infective symptoms as well as duration and chronicity of the complaint. Imaging modalities such as plain radiographs may also be useful diagnostic adjuncts to further delineate multiple diagnoses from one another. The Appendix provides a summary of the various painful hand conditions and associated features.

WHEN TO REFER TO A SPECIALIST?

Referral to a hand surgeon is appropriate in the following scenarios: (a) failure of conservative management (e.g. minimal improvement with splinting and/or corticosteroid injection); (b) advanced disease progression (e.g. Grade IV of Green's classification, locked and irreducible digit); (c) patients desire long-term, definitive intervention (keen for surgical management); (d) complex presentations and unclear pathologies (e.g. multiple digit involvement, possible coexisting injuries such as fracture and tumour); (e) risk of recurrence; and (f) if the patient is a child.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGES

  1. Trigger finger in adults is a common hand tendinopathy characterised by painful catching or locking of the finger. At-risk groups include the female gender, diabetics and patients with concomitant hand comorbidities.

  2. Trigger finger is a clinical diagnosis. Additional radiographic imaging is generally not required unless alternate diagnoses cannot be safely excluded.

  3. Suspected causative activities involving repetitive finger flexion and high-powered gripping should be avoided to reduce disease progression or recurrence.

  4. It is important for the diagnosing physician to be familiar with initial management of trigger finger. Appropriate management in primary care can improve patient satisfaction, help avoid costly referrals and mitigate high referral burden.

  5. Conservative treatment options include splinting and corticosteroid injection. Initial management should always include patient education and counselling on the efficacy and risks of each treatment option.

  6. Management of patient's expectations is important. Patients should understand that a maximum of two injections per digit in a lifetime is recommended.

  7. Advanced stages of trigger finger or cases refractory to conservative management warrant referral to a hand surgeon for consideration of surgical intervention.

  8. It is important to be cognisant of other painful hand disorders which may mimic trigger finger; for instance, suppurative flexor tenosynovitis is a surgical hand emergency requiring immediate referral to the emergency department for source control.

Closing Vignette.

You explained the diagnosis, available treatment options, and the associated risks and benefits of trigger finger to Madam Liang. In view of the short duration of her symptoms and her preference to avoid needles as much as possible, you advised Madam Liang to try conservative management first. She was given an oval-8 splint and advised to wear the orthosis at night and as often as possible during the day. She was also taught tendon gliding exercises. A short course of ibuprofen for standby pain relief was also provided. Additionally, she was advised to pause her gardening activities for the time being to avoid further exacerbation of her triggering symptoms. Four months later, she shared at her repeat clinic review that her trigger finger symptoms had improved, and she now only needs to wear the splint at night.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

SMC CATEGORY 3B CME PROGRAMME

Online Quiz: https://www.sma.org.sg/cme-programme

Deadline for submission: 6 pm, 10 May 2023

QuestionTrueFalse
1. The term ‘flexor tenosynovitis’ describes a more severe stage of trigger finger.
2. Trigger finger is a rare condition of the finger joints that is commonly seen in the elderly and those with a previous history of alcohol abuse.
3. Trigger finger arises from an inflammatory process, resulting in a discrepancy in diameters between the flexor tendon sheath and the overlying thickened pulley.
4. Before the diagnosis of trigger finger is made, a hand radiograph should always be done first to exclude underlying fracture, even in the absence of a history of trauma.
5. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for the development of trigger finger.
6. Occupations and activities involving repetitive finger movement could be a pertinent predisposing factor in developing trigger finger.
7. Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus with poor glycaemic control are at a higher risk of developing trigger finger.
8. Green’s classification grades the severity of trigger finger based on the duration of symptoms.
9. Splinting is a safe and low-risk treatment option for trigger finger, and an orthosis can generally be easily purchased.
10. Splinting may not be effective in patients with longer disease duration, and so they may eventually require more invasive treatment options such as steroid injection and surgery.
11. Patients should always be counselled regarding the risks of steroid injection, including post-injection flare, before administration.
12. The choice of treatment modality should be an individualised one, and the primary physician should explain the advantages and shortcomings of each option to the patients, taking into account their preferences.
13. Corticosteroid injections usually take about 4–6 weeks to show their effect, and hence patients should be warned that symptom relief is not immediate.
14. Injection of a combination of a corticosteroid and local anaesthetic is more effective than that of a local anaesthetic alone.
15. During corticosteroid injection, extra-sheath administration is just as effective as intra-sheath delivery.
16. Should triggering symptoms persist or relapse after two corticosteroid injections, a third injection can still be considered 3 months after the previous dose.
17. The recovery period after a corticosteroid injection is comparable to that after surgical release.
18. The risk of recurrence of trigger finger after surgery can be as high as 30%, and hence patients should be advised against surgical treatment in general.
19. For all stages of trigger finger, a referral should always be made to a hand surgeon for further management.
20. In patients presenting with fever, and tenderness and swelling along the flexor tendon sheath, an immediate referral to the emergency department should be made for urgent surgical consult to exclude underlying suppurative flexor tenosynovitis.

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Supplementary material: APPENDIX

Differential diagnoses of painful hand conditions and associated features.
Suppurative flexor tenosynovitis
 Preceding history of bite wounds/punctures
 Fever, systemic symptoms
 Kanavel's cardinal signs:
   • Finger held in a flexed position
   • Tenderness along the flexor sheath
   • Fusiform swelling
   • Pain on passive extension
Metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) sprain
 History of trauma to digit
 Swelling, tenderness around the MCPJ
 Instability/pain provoked by varus and valgus stress tests of joint
Dupuytren's contracture
 Male, age >50 years
 History of diabetes mellitus, alcohol consumption and tobacco exposure
 Progression over years – decades
 Painless nodule over palm
 Palpable fibrous cord running along the digit with flexion contracture over finger joints
Diabetic cheiroarthropathy
 Associated with diabetes, especially of long-standing duration or poor control (e.g. insulin dependent, diabetic neuropathy)
 Usually bilateral hand involvement
 Waxy, thickened skin changes
 Limited finger joint mobility with fixed flexion contractu
Ganglion cyst
 Round, firm and smooth palpable lesion
 Trans-illuminable
 Size of cyst may change with time
 Occasionally spontaneous resolution
 May cause painful impingement on the neighbouring nerves

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