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[Trigger thumb in the child]
1Handchirurgischen Dienst der Chirurgischen Klinik, Rätisches Kantons-und Regionalspital Chur.
Insights
Trigger thumb, a common condition in adult women, also affects children. Early surgical release is recommended for children over six months, while younger infants have a 30% chance of spontaneous recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Hand Surgery
Background:
- Trigger thumb (stenosing tenosynovitis) is frequently observed in adult women over 50.
- It is also occasionally seen in infants and young children, often misdiagnosed as acute distortions or subluxations.
- Pediatric specialists may not be familiar with this condition, leading to delayed diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical findings and therapeutic approaches for trigger thumb in children.
- To compare the study's results with existing literature on pediatric trigger thumb.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical findings in pediatric patients with trigger thumb.
- Analysis of treatment outcomes, including surgical release and conservative management.
- Comparison with published data on trigger thumb in children.
Main Results:
- Spontaneous recovery occurs in approximately 30% of infants under six months of age.
- Early surgical release of the A1 pulley is the preferred treatment for children over six months.
- Accurate diagnosis and timely intervention are crucial for optimal outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Trigger thumb in children requires specific diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.
- While conservative management may suffice for very young infants, surgical intervention is often necessary for older children.
- Increased awareness among pediatric specialists can improve patient management and outcomes.
Abstract:
The trigger thumb is a quite frequent finding in the adult woman over 50 years. In newly born and small children we do, however, also occasionally observe trigger thumbs. As even pediatric specialists are not necessarily familiar with this diagnosis, they tend to refer these small patients as emergencies for acute distortions or subluxations. We describe the clinical findings and therapy for trigger thumb in the child and our own results in comparison with the literature. Except in the small child under six months, who displays a spontaneous recovery in about 30% of the cases, early surgical release of the pulley is the treatment of choice.