Background/Purpose: Inflammatory processes of flexor tendons of fingers can produce pain and less (impaired) functionality. Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) is frequently seen in clinical practice. It is characterized by pain, snapping or locking when flexing the finger. The European consensus guideline for managing trigger finger suggests different interventions according to severity and duration of symptoms (orthoses/splints, corticosteroid injections, and surgical treatment.) Splinting is often indicated in order to prevent tendon friction. Among the different types of splinting, the experts recommend those that provide 0° metacarpophalangeal (MCF) blocking to avoid movement and load of the tendon through the A1 pulley. The aim of this study is to determine the short term effectiveness of splinting for trigger finger according to severity and duration of symptoms.

Methods: We included patients with Trigger finger diagnosis, type 1 to 3 according to Quinnell grading classification (mild, moderate, severe symptoms) who was under stable medication. Patients that received physiotherapy treatment and corticosteroid injections within 2 months before entry were excluded. Subjects were evaluated at admission and 30 days after using the splint with pain VAS, hand strength (jamar dynamometer), ability and dexterity (Picking up test) and global impact of hand disorders in daily activities (DASH disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand). They were equipped with trigger finger splint providing 0° blocking of MCF to prevent sliding and tendon load through the A1 pulley. Patients used the splint for four weeks to perform daily activities.

Results: 15 patients were included (13 women and 2 men), 90% with trigger finger type 2/3 of Quinnell classification and 1 to 5 months of symptoms duration. 100% improved performance of daily activities according to DASH questionnaire. In 80% a decrease in frequency of locking, stiffness of the hand and fingers flexion were observed. We could not find changes in pain and strength parameters.

Conclusion: All the patients included improved the ability to perform daily activities after a month of splinting; and in most of the patients a decrease in the frequency of locking during finger flexion was noted. Even when these results are encouraging, it would be useful to increase the sample size and compare the splinting with other therapeutic modalities for the conservative treatment of trigger finger.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/splinting-for-trigger-finger-short-term-effects/