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Splint therapy for trigger thumb and finger in children
1Department of Orthopaedics, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan.
Insights
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.
Abstract:
Forty-three trigger thumbs and fingers in 33 children (15 boys and 18 girls, average age 2 years and 4 months) were treated using a polyethylene splint. Affected digits included 40 thumbs, one index finger, and two middle fingers. The IP joint was stabilized in maximum extension via a strap on the dorsal side. The splint was applied only at night and during day-time naps. Twenty-four digits recovered completely in an average of 10 months, seven digits improved, and two digits required surgery. Eight patients (10 digits) dropped out of treatment. Splint therapy is effective in treating trigger thumbs and fingers in children.