Related Experiment Videos
Splint therapy for trigger thumb and finger in children
1Department of Orthopaedics, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan.
Journal of Hand Surgery (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Polyethylene splinting effectively treats pediatric trigger digits. This non-surgical approach, applied during sleep, led to complete recovery in most children with trigger thumbs and fingers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Hand Surgery
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
Background:
- Trigger digit, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a common condition in children affecting the thumb or fingers.
- Conservative management is often the first line of treatment for pediatric trigger digits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of polyethylene splinting for treating trigger thumbs and fingers in children.
- To determine the outcomes of conservative splint therapy in a pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 33 children (43 digits) with trigger digits.
- Treatment involved nightly and nap-time application of a polyethylene splint to stabilize the interphalangeal (IP) joint in extension.
- Digits treated included 40 thumbs, one index finger, and two middle fingers.
Main Results:
- Complete recovery was observed in 24 digits (average 10 months).
- Seven digits showed improvement, while two required surgical intervention.
- Eight patients (10 digits) were lost to follow-up or discontinued treatment.
Conclusions:
- Polyethylene splint therapy is an effective non-surgical treatment for pediatric trigger digits.
- Nighttime splinting offers a viable conservative option for managing trigger thumbs and fingers in children.
- Further studies could explore long-term outcomes and adherence rates.