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This site is intended for healthcare professionals News & Perspective Drugs & Diseases CME & Education Video Decision Point Edition: English Medscape English Deutsch Español Français Português UKNew Univadis Français New Italiano New Log In Sign Up It's Free! English Edition Medscape * English * Deutsch * Español * Français * Português * UKNew Univadis * Français New * Italiano New X Univadis from Medscape Register Log In No Results No Results News & Perspective Drugs & Diseases CME & Education Video Decision Point close Please confirm that you would like to log out of Medscape. If you log out, you will be required to enter your username and password the next time you visit. Log out Cancel https://profreg.medscape.com/px/getpracticeprofile.do?method=getProfessionalProfile&urlCache=aHR0cHM6Ly9lbWVkaWNpbmUubWVkc2NhcGUuY29tL2FydGljbGUvMTI0NDY5My1vdmVydmlldw== processing.... Drugs & Diseases > Orthopedic Surgery TRIGGER FINGER Updated: Jan 17, 2023 * Author: Satishchandra Kale, MD, MBBS, MBA, MCh(Orth), FRCS(Edin), FRCS(Tr&Orth); Chief Editor: Harris Gellman, MD more... * 14 * Share * Print * Feedback Close * Facebook * Twitter * LinkedIn * WhatsApp * Email Sections Trigger Finger * Sections Trigger Finger * Overview * Practice Essentials * Background * Anatomy * Pathophysiology * Etiology * Epidemiology * Prognosis * Patient Education * Show All * Presentation * History * Physical Examination * Show All * DDx * Workup * Approach Considerations * Radiography * Histologic Findings * Staging * Show All * Treatment * Approach Considerations * Corticosteroid Injection Into Tendon Sheath * Splinting * Surgical Release * Kapandji Enlargement-Plasty of A1 Pulley * Physical Therapy * Occupational Therapy * Complications * Show All * Medication * Medication Summary * Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs * Corticosteroids * Show All * Questions & Answers * Media Gallery * References Overview PRACTICE ESSENTIALS Trigger finger (TF; also referred to as stenosing tenosynovitis), one of the most common causes of hand pain and disability, is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and a sensation of locking or catching when the digit is flexed and extended. (See the image below.) The patient may present with a digit locked in a particular position, most often flexion (bent position), which may require gentle, passive manipulation into full extension. [1] TF most commonly affects the ring finger and the thumb (trigger thumb) but can also occur in the other fingers. Trigger finger often results in difficulty flexing or (in this case) extending metacarpophalangeal joint of involved digit. View Media Gallery TF results from thickening of the flexor tendon within the distal aspect of the palm. [2, 3] This thickening causes abnormal gliding and locking of the tendon within the tendon sheath. Specifically, the affected tendon is caught at the edge of the first anular (A1) pulley. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TRIGGER FINGER Signs and symptoms of TF are as follows: * Locking or catching during active flexion-extension activity (passive manipulation may be needed to extend the digit in the later stages) * Stiff digit, especially in long-standing or neglected cases * Pain over the distal palm * Pain radiating along the digit * Triggering on active or passive extension by the patient * Palpable snapping sensation or crepitus over the A1 pulley * Tenderness over the A1 pulley * Palpable nodule in the line of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), just distal to the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint in the palm * Fixed-flexion deformity in late presentations, especially in the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint * Evidence of associated conditions (eg, rheumatoid arthritis [RA], gout) * Early signs of triggering in other digits (may be bilateral) Children with trigger thumb rarely complain of pain. They usually are brought in for evaluation when aged 1-4 years, when the parent first notices a flexed posture of the thumb’s interphalangeal (IP) joint. These children often demonstrate bilateral fixed flexion contractures of the thumb by the time they present to the physician. [4] By the time the child presents to the clinic, surgical treatment is already indicated in most instances. See Clinical Presentation for more detail. DIAGNOSIS OF TRIGGER FINGER As a rule, no lab tests are needed in the diagnosis of TF. If there is a concern regarding an associated, undiagnosed condition, such as diabetes mellitus (DM), RA, or another connective tissue disease, tests such as those assessing glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c), fasting blood sugar, or rheumatoid factor should be ordered. Radiography rarely is indicated in TF. [5] Hand radiographs are performed only if abnormal pathology (eg, abnormal sesamoids, loose bodies in the MCP joint, osteoarthritic spurs on the metacarpal head, avulsion injuries of collateral ligaments) is suspected. See Workup for more detail. MANAGEMENT OF TRIGGER FINGER Conservative treatment Corticosteroid injection in the area of tendon sheath thickening is considered to be the first-line treatment of choice for TF. Custom-made splinting of the MCP joint, albeit rarely used, is another conservative treatment, used in patients who do not wish to undergo a steroid injection or as an adjuvant to injection. Typically, a custom-made splint is used to hold the MCP joint of the involved finger at 10-15° of flexion, leaving the PIP and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints free. Surgery Trigger digits that fail to respond to two injections usually require surgical treatment, in the form of surgical release of the A1 pulley, under local anesthesia. During trigger finger release, the proximal edge of the A1 pulley is identified, and a scalpel blade is used to divide the entire A1 pulley in the midline under vision. Dissection of the nodule in the tendon is rarely indicated and may actually cause tendon weakening or rupture. With relief of triggering and friction following the release of the A1 pulley, the nodule usually regresses in size. If a percutaneous approach is favored, a pair of blunt-tipped, fine scissors is introduced through the incision, and the A1 pulley is transected. The open technique is absolutely essential for the thumb or little finger or in the presence of PIP contractures. Percutaneous release should be reserved for the index, middle, and ring fingers. [6, 7, 8, 9] Physical therapy Physical therapy is generally not required for patients with TF. For cases of chronic TF, however, treatment may include a trial of heating modalities followed by sustained, nonballistic stretching of the flexor tendon, as well as soft-tissue mobilization of the A1 pulley. After injection or surgery, a home exercise (stretching) program may be one component of treatment. See Treatment and Medication for more detail. Next: Background BACKGROUND Trigger finger (TF) is one of the most common upper limb problems to be encountered in orthopedic practice and is also one of the most common causes of hand pain and disability. It results from thickening of the flexor tendon within the distal aspect of the palm. [2, 3] This thickening causes abnormal gliding of the tendon within the tendon sheath. Specifically, the affected tendon is caught at the edge of the first anular (A1) pulley. (See Etiology and Pathophysiology.) Patients can have difficulty flexing the affected digit if the tendon is caught distal to the A1 pulley, or extending the digit if the tendon is caught proximal to the pulley. The condition is very painful, especially when the locked digit snaps (releases) beyond the restriction by the use of increased force. The etiology of TF remains unknown or uncertain, although triggering seems to occur more frequently in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or diabetes mellitus (DM). (See Etiology and Pathophysiology.) TF begins as discomfort in the palm during movements of the involved digit(s). Gradually or, in some cases, acutely, the flexor tendon causes painful popping or snapping as the patient flexes and extends the digit. The patient may present with a digit locked in a particular position, most often flexion, which may require gentle, passive manipulation into full extension. (See Presentation.) [1] TF has a predilection for the dominant hand, with the most commonly affected digit being the thumb, followed by the ring, long, little, and index fingers. (However, a retrospective study of 577 TFs by Schubert et al found no relation to hand dominance. [10] ) The involvement of several fingers is not unusual. Trigger finger occurs much less frequently in the pediatric population than in adults and develops almost exclusively in the thumb. [11] Historically, the condition in children has been referred to as congenital trigger thumb. [12] Evidence indicates, however, that it usually presents sometime after infancy and is thus more appropriately referred to as pediatric trigger thumb. (See Epidemiology and Presentation.) [13] Yet, by the time medical opinion is sought, surgery is usually indicated. In the past, triggering of the digits was treated by splinting in extension, which caused stiffness and, consequently, loss of MCP and IP flexion. Out of dissatisfaction with this form of treatment, researchers used intrasheath steroid injections instead, which resulted in a high proportion of good results. (See Treatment and Medication.) [14, 10] In an uncomplicated case of trigger digit, the first-line therapy is still generally agreed to be injection into the tendon sheath, with surgical release of the A1 pulley as second-line treatment. Surgery, in the form of release of the A1 pulley, became popular when splinting and/or injection therapy failed or in the presence of other pathology, such as RA, in which injection treatment proved futile or there was a risk of tendon rupture or infection. Previous Next: Background ANATOMY FINGERS Tendon sheaths of the long flexors run from the level of the metacarpal heads (distal palmar crease, superficial; volar plate, deep) to the distal phalanges. They are attached to the underlying bones and volar plates, which prevent the tendons from bowstringing. Predictable and efficient thickenings in the fibrous flexor sheath act as pulleys, directing the sliding movements of the fingers. The two types of pulleys are anular (A) and cruciate (C). Anular pulleys are composed of single fibrous bands (ie, rings), whereas cruciate pulleys have two crossing fibrous bands. The order of the pulleys from proximal to distal is as follows: * The A1 pulley overlies the MCP joints; it is released during surgery for TF (see the image below) * The A2 pulley overlies the proximal end of the proximal phalanx * The C1 pulley overlies the middle of the proximal phalanx * The A3 pulley lies over the PIP joint * The C2 pulley lies over the proximal end of the middle phalanx * The A4 pulley lies over the middle of the middle phalanx * The C3 pulley lies over the distal end of the middle phalanx * The A5 pulley lies over the proximal end of the distal phalanx Flexor tendons pass within tendon sheath and beneath A1 pulley at approximately metacarpal head, beyond which they travel into digit. View Media Gallery The A2 and A4 pulleys are vital in preventing bowstringing of the flexor tendons and must be preserved or reconstructed after any damage to them. THUMB The flexor anatomy of the thumb differs from that of the fingers. The flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon is a single tendon within the flexor sheath that inserts onto the base of the distal phalanx. The fibro-osseous sheath is composed of two anular pulleys (A1 and A2) that arise from the palmar plates of the MCP and IP joints, respectively. The oblique pulley, which originates from and inserts onto the proximal phalanx, is the most important pulley from a biomechanical perspective. The oblique pulley is approximately 10 mm in length, blending with a portion of the adductor pollicis insertion. The digital nerves and arteries run parallel to the tendon sheath distally. At the level of the MCP flexion crease, they lie just deep to the skin. Proximal to the A1 pulley, the radial digital nerve of the thumb crosses obliquely over the sheath. Previous Next: Background PATHOPHYSIOLOGY A mismatch between the flexor tendon and the proximal pulley mechanism occurs in most cases of trigger finger. Normally, the tendons of the finger flexors glide back and forth under a restraining pulley. [15, 16, 17] Thickening of the flexor tendon sheath restricts the normal gliding mechanism. A nodule may develop on the tendon, causing the tendon to get stuck at the proximal edge of the A1 pulley when the patient is attempting to extend the digit, thereby causing difficulty. (See the image below.) Inflamed nodule can restrict tendon from passing smoothly beneath A1 pulley. If nodule is distal to A1 pulley (as shown in this sketch), then digit may get stuck in extended position. Conversely, if nodule is proximal to A1 pulley, then patient's digit is more likely to become stuck in flexed position. View Media Gallery When more forceful attempts are made to extend the digit, by using increased force from the finger extensors or by applying an external force (for example, by exerting force on the finger with the other hand), the digit classically snaps open with significant pain at the distal palm and into the proximal aspect of the affected digit. Less commonly, the nodule is restricted distal to the A1 pulley, resulting in difficulty flexing the digit. Using sonoelastography, a newer technique for quantitative assessment of the stiffness of soft tissues, the data from one study noted that the causes for snapping in TF were increased stiffness and thickening of the A1 pulley. Three weeks after corticosteroid injection, the pulley thickness and the ratio of subcutaneous fat to the pulley both decreased; snapping disappeared in all patients studied. [18] Previous Next: Background ETIOLOGY The etiology of trigger finger is unknown or uncertain. It is suspected that nodule formation in the tendon, morphologic changes in the pulley, or both in combination may effect triggering, though why these changes are actually initiated remains unknown. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between TF and activities that require exertion of pressure in the palm while a powerful grip is used or that involve repetitive, forceful digital flexion (eg, arc welding, use of heavy shears). Proximal phalangeal flexion in power-grip activities causes high anular loads at the distal edge of the A1 pulley. Hueston and Wilson have suggested that bunching of the interwoven tendon fibers causes the reactive intratendinous nodule observed at surgery. [19] Thus, in conclusion, the exact etiology remains unknown, but certain conditions such as DM or RA may predispose an individual to triggering of the digit. Sampson et al concluded that the underlying pathobiologic mechanism for triggering is fibrocartilaginous metaplasia of the pulleys due to trauma or disease. [20] Several studies have failed to demonstrate the presence of acute or chronic inflammatory cells within the tenosynovium. The suffix -itis in the term stenosing tendovaginitis actually is a misnomer unless the condition is associated with RA or inflammatory arthritis. The exact etiology is still unknown, but it is thought that DM or autoimmune conditions may contribute to morphologic changes in the pulley and/or the tendon sheath to cause triggering. Systemic causes of TF are collagen-vascular diseases, including the following [21] : * RA * DM * Psoriatic arthritis * Amyloidosis * Hypothyroidism * Sarcoidosis * Pigmented villonodular synovitis Septic causes of TF are secondary infections (eg, tuberculosis). A few case reports have documented rare causes of TF, including tenosynovitis that itself resulted from a Mycobacterium kansasii infection in an immunocompetent patient; triggering following the development of calcific tendonitis has been reported in a child. Such cases should invoke a high degree of suspicion. The association of idiopathic TF with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome has long been suggested. A study of 551 patients with no predisposing causes diagnosed with either TF, carpal tunnel syndrome, or both based on clinical grounds reported that 43% of patients with TF also had concomitant carpal tunnel syndrome; this is significantly higher than the population prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome, which is about 4%. [22] A retrospective study by Grandizio et al indicated that the risk of developing TF following surgical carpal tunnel release is greater in patients with DM than in those without DM. In the study, the investigators found that out of 1003 carpal tunnel releases in patients without DM, the incidence of TF at 6 and 12 months was 3% and 4%, respectively, whereas out of 214 carpal tunnel releases in patients with DM, the incidence at 6 and 12 months was 8% and 10%, respectively. The severity of the DM, however, was not found to be a significant factor in the development of TF. [23] TRIGGER THUMB Trigger thumb (see the image below) usually occurs idiopathically, though it develops more frequently in individuals with diabetes or osteoarthritis. Trigger thumb is more likely to occur in an individual with any condition that causes diffuse proliferation of the tenosynovium, such as inflammatory arthritis, gout, or chronic infection (eg, fungus, atypical mycobacteria). This process can extend distal to the MCP joint and, when severe, cause stiffness rather than intermittent triggering. Trigger thumb. A1 pulley exposed within surgical field (arrow). Digital neurovascular bundles behind retractors. View Media Gallery Certain people appear more prone to tenosynovitic conditions; patients with trigger thumb are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome and de Quervain disease. The roles of overuse and trauma in trigger thumb are controversial, though the condition does have a predilection for the dominant hand. Previous Next: Background EPIDEMIOLOGY Trigger finger is a relatively common condition and occurs two to six times more frequently in women than in men. Several series found the peak incidence of trigger digit to be in individuals aged 55-60 years. Age distribution has not changed significantly despite an increase in computing activities and repetitive tasks. As previously mentioned, TF in the pediatric population occurs much less frequently than in adults and develops almost exclusively in the thumb. [11] Previous Next: Background PROGNOSIS INJECTION WITH OR WITHOUT SPLINTING The prognosis in trigger finger is very good; most patients respond to corticosteroid injection with or without associated splinting. Some cases of TF may resolve spontaneously and then reoccur without obvious correlation with treatment or exacerbating factors. Freiberg et al found a greater success rate for TF injection therapy when the treatment was used in patients in whom an examiner could palpate a discrete, rather than a diffuse, nodular consistency in the flexor sheath. [24] Digits with a discrete, palpable nodule had a 93% success rate with a single injection of triamcinolone at 3 months' follow-up, whereas digits with a diffuse pattern had a 52% failure rate. Marks and Gunther reported an 84% success rate in trigger digits and a 92% success rate in trigger thumbs following a single injection of triamcinolone. [14] Using sonoelastography, a newer technique for quantitative assessment of the stiffness of soft tissues, one group noted that the causes for snapping in TF were increased stiffness and thickening of the A1 pulley. Three weeks after corticosteroid injection, the pulley thickness and the ratio of subcutaneous fat to the pulley both decreased; snapping disappeared in all patients studied. [18] Griggs et al reported an overall success rate of 50% for steroid injection in patients with DM. [25] Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes had a higher incidence of multiple digit involvement and required surgical release more frequently than did patients who were not insulin-dependent. [26, 27] SURGERY Patients who need surgical release generally have a very good outcome. Percutaneous trigger finger release has been reported by several authors to be safe and efficacious, with success rates of 74-94% and no complications having been found at medium-term follow-up. The procedure is advised for individuals with established primary TF who have symptoms lasting longer than 4 months or for patients in whom injection therapy has failed to relieve symptoms. It is considered a reasonable choice following one injection failure and actually may confer cost benefits through permanent relief. The prognosis is also very good for congenital trigger thumb that is treated with resection of the tendon nodule. A study suggests that perioperative characteristics and outcomes differ between TF and trigger thumb and that the surgical outcome is poorer for TF than for trigger thumb (partly due to flexion contracture of the PIP joint). [28] PEDIATRIC Triggering may resolve spontaneously in 23-63% of pediatric cases. If patients are not treated by the time they have reached the age of 4 years, some may be left with permanent flexion contractures. Surgical release of the A1 pulley prior to this age leads to excellent results. [29, 30, 9] Previous Next: Background PATIENT EDUCATION As with patient education following any local injection, patients should be told to watch for signs and symptoms of infection and bleeding. Any suggestion of infection or excessive bleeding should be reported to the physician immediately. Patients should understand that some increased tenderness may be noted at the injection site for 2-4 days, until the corticosteroid begins to have a significant therapeutic effect. If there is an inordinate amount of pain after the procedure, patients should contact the physician who performed the injection. Patients should understand that a certain amount of numbness in the digit may occur if some of the local anesthetic has come into contact with a digital nerve; however, the numbness should resolve within a matter of hours after the injection. Significant, persistent numbness should be reported to the physician who performed the injection. To minimize the risk of tendon rupture after corticosteroid injection, the patient should be advised that for a few weeks after the injection, he or she should avoid using the injected structures for excessively strenuous or forceful activity. Previous Clinical Presentation REFERENCES 1. Fam AG. Regional pain problems. Klippel JH, Dieppe PA, eds. Practical Rheumatology. London, England: Mosby; 1997. 2. AAOS. Trigger finger. AAOS Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care. 6th ed. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2022. 3. Finnoff JT, Johnson W. Upper limb pain and dysfunction. Cifu DX, Eapen BC, Johns JS, Kowalske KJ, Lew HL, Miller MA, et al, eds. Braddom's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2021. 715-26. 4. Bae DS. Pediatric trigger thumb. J Hand Surg Am. 2008 Sep. 33 (7):1189-91. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. 5. Kim HR, Lee SH. Ultrasonographic assessment of clinically diagnosed trigger fingers. Rheumatol Int. 2010 Sep. 30 (11):1455-8. 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Rojo-Manaute JM, Rodríguez-Maruri G, Capa-Grasa A, Chana-Rodríguez F, Soto Mdel V, Martín JV. Sonographically guided intrasheath percutaneous release of the first annular pulley for trigger digits, part 1: clinical efficacy and safety. J Ultrasound Med. 2012 Mar. 31 (3):417-24. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. 74. Hazani R, Whitney RD, Redstone J, Chowdhry S, Wilhelmi BJ. Safe treatment of trigger thumb with longitudinal anatomic landmarks. Eplasty. 2010 Sep 15. 10:[QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text]. 75. Boretto J, Alfie V, Donndorff A, Gallucci G, DE Carli P. A prospective clinical study of the A1 pulley in trigger thumbs. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2008 Jun. 33 (3):260-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. 76. Gulabi D, Cecen GS, Bekler HI, Saglam F, Tanju N. A study of 60 patients with percutaneous trigger finger releases: clinical and ultrasonographic findings. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2014 Sep. 39 (7):699-703. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. 77. Migaud H, Fontaine C, Brazier J, Pierchon F, Duquennoy A. [Kapandji enlargement plasty of A1 pulley. Results in 15 primary trigger fingers with a 5 year (2-8 years) follow-up]. Ann Chir Main Memb Super. 1996. 15 (1):37-41; discussion 42. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. 78. Fitzgerald BT, Hofmeister EP, Fan RA, Thompson MA. Delayed flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus ruptures in a trigger finger after a steroid injection: a case report. J Hand Surg Am. 2005 May. 30 (3):479-82. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. 79. Peters-Veluthamaningal C, van der Windt DA, Winters JC, Meyboom-de Jong B. Corticosteroid injection for trigger finger in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Jan 21. CD005617. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. Media Gallery * Flexor tendons pass within tendon sheath and beneath A1 pulley at approximately metacarpal head, beyond which they travel into digit. * Inflamed nodule can restrict tendon from passing smoothly beneath A1 pulley. If nodule is distal to A1 pulley (as shown in this sketch), then digit may get stuck in extended position. Conversely, if nodule is proximal to A1 pulley, then patient's digit is more likely to become stuck in flexed position. * Trigger finger often results in difficulty flexing or (in this case) extending metacarpophalangeal joint of involved digit. * Introduction of needle into tendon sheath at 45° angle to palm for injection treatment. * Movement of needle with flexion of digit confirms correct positioning of needle for injection treatment. * Incision marked out in distal palmar crease for surgical division of A1 pulley. * A1 pulley is sectioned by using blunt-tipped, fine scissors, keeping strictly in midline. Note digit being held in hyperextended position by assistant to displace neurovascular bundles away from midline. * Incision for trigger thumb release placed in metacarpophalangeal flexion crease, centered over flexor tendon nodule. * Trigger thumb. A1 pulley exposed within surgical field (arrow). Digital neurovascular bundles behind retractors. * Trigger thumb. A1 pulley has been released; flexor pollicis longus tendon is now exposed. Retractors have been removed to demonstrate proximity of neurovascular bundles (arrows) to tendon. of 10 TABLES Back to List CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION AND DISCLOSURES Author Satishchandra Kale, MD, MBBS, MBA, MCh(Orth), FRCS(Edin), FRCS(Tr&Orth) Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine(UK) Satishchandra Kale, MD, MBBS, MBA, MCh(Orth), FRCS(Edin), FRCS(Tr&Orth) is a member of the following medical societies: Bombay Orthopedic Society, British Orthopaedic Association, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Chief Editor Harris Gellman, MD Consulting Surgeon, Broward Hand Center; Voluntary Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Surgery, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine; Clinical Professor of Surgery, Nova Southeastern School of Medicine Harris Gellman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Arkansas Medical Society, Florida Medical Association, Florida Orthopaedic Society Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Acknowledgements Michael T Andary, MD, MS Professor, Residency Program Director, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Michael T Andary, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, and Association of Academic Physiatrists Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching P atrick M Foye, MD Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Co-Director of Musculoskeletal Fellowship, Co-Director of Back Pain Clinic, Director of Coccyx Pain Service (Tailbone Pain Service: www.TailboneDoctor.com), University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School Patrick M Foye, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and International Spine Intervention Society Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Joseph E Sheppard, MD Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery, Chief of Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, University Physicians Healthcare Joseph E Sheppard, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Orthopaedics Overseas Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. David R Steinberg, MD Director of Hand Fellowship, Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System David R Steinberg, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Society for Surgery of the Hand Disclosure: Johnson & Johnson nothing received, but have long-term ownership of public equities none Todd P Stitik, MD Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Director, Outpatient Occupational/Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School Todd P Stitik, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Association of Academic Physiatrists, Phi Beta Kappa, and Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment Robert E Windsor, MD, FAAPMR, FAAEM, FAAPM President and Director, Georgia Pain Physicians, PC; Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Emory University School of Medicine Robert E Windsor, MD, FAAPMR, FAAEM, FAAPM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pain Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Association, International Association for the Study of Pain, and Texas Medical Association Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Acknowledgments The authors and editors of Medscape Reference would like to thank medical students Dena Abdelshahed and Leia Rispoli, plus Drs. 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List of IAB Vendors | View Illustrations PERSONALISED ADVERTISING AND CONTENT, ADVERTISING AND CONTENT MEASUREMENT, AUDIENCE RESEARCH AND SERVICES DEVELOPMENT 62 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS PURPOSE Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development * USE LIMITED DATA TO SELECT ADVERTISING 52 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS PURPOSE Switch Label Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times an ad is presented to you). View Illustrations Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection * CREATE PROFILES FOR PERSONALISED ADVERTISING 42 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS PURPOSE Switch Label Information about your activity on this service (such as forms you submit, content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (for example, information from your previous activity on this service and other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (that might include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present advertising that appears more relevant based on your possible interests by this and other entities. View Illustrations * USE PROFILES TO SELECT PERSONALISED ADVERTISING 42 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS PURPOSE Switch Label Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on your advertising profiles, which can reflect your activity on this service or other websites or apps (like the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects. View Illustrations * CREATE PROFILES TO PERSONALISE CONTENT 16 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS PURPOSE Switch Label Information about your activity on this service (for instance, forms you submit, non-advertising content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (such as your previous activity on this service or other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (which might for example include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present content that appears more relevant based on your possible interests, such as by adapting the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find content that matches your interests. View Illustrations * USE PROFILES TO SELECT PERSONALISED CONTENT 14 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS PURPOSE Switch Label Content presented to you on this service can be based on your content personalisation profiles, which can reflect your activity on this or other services (for instance, the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects. This can for example be used to adapt the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find (non-advertising) content that matches your interests. View Illustrations * MEASURE ADVERTISING PERFORMANCE 58 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS PURPOSE Switch Label Information regarding which advertising is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine how well an advert has worked for you or other users and whether the goals of the advertising were reached. For instance, whether you saw an ad, whether you clicked on it, whether it led you to buy a product or visit a website, etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of advertising campaigns. View Illustrations Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection * MEASURE CONTENT PERFORMANCE 22 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS PURPOSE Switch Label Information regarding which content is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine whether the (non-advertising) content e.g. reached its intended audience and matched your interests. For instance, whether you read an article, watch a video, listen to a podcast or look at a product description, how long you spent on this service and the web pages you visit etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of (non-advertising) content that is shown to you. View Illustrations Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection * UNDERSTAND AUDIENCES THROUGH STATISTICS OR COMBINATIONS OF DATA FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES 37 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS PURPOSE Switch Label Reports can be generated based on the combination of data sets (like user profiles, statistics, market research, analytics data) regarding your interactions and those of other users with advertising or (non-advertising) content to identify common characteristics (for instance, to determine which target audiences are more receptive to an ad campaign or to certain contents). View Illustrations Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection * DEVELOP AND IMPROVE SERVICES 54 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS PURPOSE Switch Label Information about your activity on this service, such as your interaction with ads or content, can be very helpful to improve products and services and to build new products and services based on user interactions, the type of audience, etc. This specific purpose does not include the development or improvement of user profiles and identifiers. View Illustrations Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection * USE LIMITED DATA TO SELECT CONTENT 10 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS PURPOSE Switch Label Content presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type, or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times a video or an article is presented to you). View Illustrations Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection List of IAB Vendors USE PRECISE GEOLOCATION DATA 18 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS SPECIAL FEATURE Use precise geolocation data With your acceptance, your precise location (within a radius of less than 500 metres) may be used in support of the purposes explained in this notice. List of IAB Vendors ACTIVELY SCAN DEVICE CHARACTERISTICS FOR IDENTIFICATION 3 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS SPECIAL FEATURE Actively scan device characteristics for identification With your acceptance, certain characteristics specific to your device might be requested and used to distinguish it from other devices (such as the installed fonts or plugins, the resolution of your screen) in support of the purposes explained in this notice. List of IAB Vendors ENSURE SECURITY, PREVENT AND DETECT FRAUD, AND FIX ERRORS 50 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS SPECIAL PURPOSE Always Active Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent unusual and possibly fraudulent activity (for example, regarding advertising, ad clicks by bots), and ensure systems and processes work properly and securely. It can also be used to correct any problems you, the publisher or the advertiser may encounter in the delivery of content and ads and in your interaction with them. List of IAB Vendors | View Illustrations DELIVER AND PRESENT ADVERTISING AND CONTENT 44 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS SPECIAL PURPOSE Always Active Certain information (like an IP address or device capabilities) is used to ensure the technical compatibility of the content or advertising, and to facilitate the transmission of the content or ad to your device. List of IAB Vendors | View Illustrations MATCH AND COMBINE DATA FROM OTHER DATA SOURCES 40 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS FEATURE Always Active Information about your activity on this service may be matched and combined with other information relating to you and originating from various sources (for instance your activity on a separate online service, your use of a loyalty card in-store, or your answers to a survey), in support of the purposes explained in this notice. List of IAB Vendors LINK DIFFERENT DEVICES 35 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS FEATURE Always Active In support of the purposes explained in this notice, your device might be considered as likely linked to other devices that belong to you or your household (for instance because you are logged in to the same service on both your phone and your computer, or because you may use the same Internet connection on both devices). List of IAB Vendors IDENTIFY DEVICES BASED ON INFORMATION TRANSMITTED AUTOMATICALLY 40 PARTNERS CAN USE THIS FEATURE Always Active Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it automatically sends when accessing the Internet (for instance, the IP address of your Internet connection or the type of browser you are using) in support of the purposes exposed in this notice. List of IAB Vendors Back Button COOKIE LIST Search Icon Filter Icon Clear checkbox label label Apply Cancel Consent Leg.Interest checkbox label label checkbox label label checkbox label label Confirm My Choices