EXTENSOR TENDON SHEATH STENOSIS RESULTING IN TRIGGERING OF THE LITTLE FINGER

An isolated constriction of the tendon sheath of extensor digiti minimi caused triggering of the little finger. Incision of the tendon sheath resulted in recovery of frictionless gliding of the tendon. Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume, 1994) 19B: 5: 662-663 Trigger finger results from loss of smooth gliding of a tendon within its sheath. Stenosing tenovaginitis has numerous causes including inflammatory processes (Froimson, 1992; Pruzansky 1988), tumours (Oni, 1984), metabolic abnormalities, mild repetitive occu-pational disorders, tendon lacerations (Frewin and Scheker, 1989) and sports related trauma. These con-ditions result in flexor tendon sheath abnormalities. Triggering because of flexor tendon sheath constric-tions is common (Thorpe, 1988), and although trig-gering of extensor tendons is mentioned in textbooks we have been unable to find any documented cases i