title: Comparison of splinting versus nonsplinting in the treatment of pediatric trigger finger.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Because pediatric trigger finger is much less common than pediatric trigger thumb, there is no consensus on the efficacy of splinting, owing to both the rarity of the condition and a lack of natural history and comparative therapeutic data. We performed the present retrospective study on 47 fingers to compare pediatric trigger finger treatment by splinting and nonsplinting.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 24 children with a total of 47 trigger fingers. Affected fingers included 4 index, 28 middle, 11 ring, and 4 little fingers. Patient age at initial examination ranged from 1 month to 9 years (mean, 2 y). We observed 24 fingers treated with a static splint and 23 fingers treated without it. The time from initial examination to follow-up ranged from 2 to 18 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the splinting group, 16 fingers (67%) resolved, 4 fingers (17%) improved, and 4 fingers (17%) remained unchanged. Seven fingers (29%) ultimately required surgery. In the nonsplinting group, 7 fingers (30%) resolved spontaneously, 1 (4%) improved, and 15 (65%) remained unchanged. Fifteen fingers (65%) later underwent surgical release. The rate of resolution in the splinting group was significantly higher than that in the nonsplinting group. The proportion of fingers needing surgical treatment in the splinting group was significantly lower than that in the nonsplinting group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For treatment of pediatric trigger finger, it is advisable to fit a static splint at the first visit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan. poirot56@pb3.so-net.ne.jp
authors.forename: Ritsu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shiozawa
authors.forename: Shigeharu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uchiyama
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugimoto
authors.forename: Shota
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ikegami
authors.forename: Norimasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kato
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013165:Splints; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D052582:Trigger Finger Disorder / Q000628:therapy*