This is for you… Hand Therapists!
Stenosing tenosynovitis, otherwise known as trigger finger, is a common condition affecting children and adults of all ages.
Fast Facts
- Trigger finger usually occurs at the A1 pulley
- It occurs with inflammation of the tendons and sheaths of fds and fdp
- The digit can lock in both flexion and extension… That’s right I said extension
- The risk for trigger finger is between 2-3% in the population and 10% in diabetics
- It can be associated with metabolic disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, collagen disease and carpal tunnel syndrome
Trigger Finger Treatment How-To
There are three basic option for trigger finger treatment … as long as we are not talking about the THUMB
- Injection 60-65%
- Therapy (splinting) 60-65%
- Therapy (splinting) and injection together 80%
- Surgery almost always, around 98% of course there are complication and the risk of anesthesia.
What Type of Splint Should You Use?
Any type of immobilization that limits the triggering will suffice. It could be a splint to immobilize the DIP, PIP or MCP. My personal favorite is an oval eight at the pip joint. I typically recommend wearing the splint for 3 weeks all of the time, than an additional 3 weeks night-time only, for a total of 6 weeks.
What About Trigger Thumb?
The triggering thumb typically does not resolve with conservative measures. Often times people with trigger thumb will need surgical intervention to resolve their symptoms.
What About the Doctor Who Does Not Believe in Splinting?
A lot of times physicians will tell you splinting doesn’t work. However, the research says otherwise! I often tell doctors there is no harm in trying therapy, it has very low risks and as therapist, we often are teaching our patients many more things that encourage good hand health! So I say why not!!
7 Comments
Leave a Comment
More To Read
Sensory Processing in People With and Without Tendinopathy
Emilee Sanders, OTS Sensory Processing in People With and Without Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis of Local, Regional, and Remote Sites in Upper- and Lower-Limb Conditions Rio, E, Sandler, J., Cheng, K., Moseley, G. L., Cook, J., & Girdwood, M. (2021) Sensory processing in people with and without tendinopathy: A systematic review with meta-analysis…
Read More
Comparing Edema and Lymphedema: Understanding the Differences and Treatment Approaches in Hand Therapy
Comparing Edema and Lymphedema: Understanding the Differences and Treatment Approaches in Hand Therapy As hand therapists we often encounter patients presenting with swollen arms, hands, and/ or fingers, often attributing these symptoms to various conditions. Two commonly confused terms in this area are “edema” and “lymphedema.” While both involve swelling, they have distinct causes, presentations,…
Read More
Splinting vs Stretching after a Stroke to treat Hand Spasticity
Splinting versus Stretching to improve hand function and reduce hand spasticity after stroke Reference: Ahmad Khan, M., & Singh, P. (2018, February). Effect of Hand Splinting versus Stretching Exercises for Reducing Spasticity and Improving Hand Function in Poststroke Hemiplegia: AComparative Interventional Study. Retrieved December 4, 2022, fromhttps://www.ijotonweb.org/article.asp?issn=0445 -7706;year=2018;volume=50;issue=4;spage=125;epage=129;aulast=Khan The Skinny: A comparative study by Khan…
Read More
Tennis Elbow and Graded Exercises
Lateral Elbow Pain with Graded Exercise Chronic tennis elbow with a supervised graded exercise protocol Özdinçler, A. R., Baktır, Z. S., Mutlu, E. K., & Koçyiğit, A. (2023). Chronic lateral elbow tendinopathy with a supervised graded exercise protocol. Journal of Hand Therapy, 36(4), 913–922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2022.11.005 The Skinny: This study looked at the effectiveness of an…
Read More
Sign-up to Get Updates Straight to Your Inbox!
Sign up with us and we will send you regular blog posts on everything hand therapy, notices every time we upload new videos and tutorials, along with handout, protocols, and other useful information.
In the section “How is Trigger Finger Treated?” there are percentages listed next to each treatment, and I’m wondering what each percentage means?
It refers to the efficacy. Thanks for asking.
Can you put a photo of splint: “My personal favorite is an oval eight at the pip joint.” Thanks
I am a retired pediatric OT and experienced triggering in the DIP of my right thumb, dominant hand, mid-December. After one week of self-care, which was mainly rest and massage, I went to see a CHT. Her evaluation, treatment and home program of exercises was very helpful. I do the exercises every day. Now, about one month later, the “click” and triggering is almost gone, but I continue with the exercises and massage to maintain ROM and circulation. Some stiffness and weakness remains, especially in colder weather.
Do the percentages refer to efficacy?
I really want to know about the references? Could you indicate the articles about this findings? Tks.
Metacarpal/ phalengeal joint trigger in the digits???Have you used relative motion or yoke splint???