Trigger thumb and finger in pediatric patients

Abstract

Objectives: Trigger finger in pediatric patients is not as commonly seen as it is in adults. With that, it is ten times less likely to be seen than trigger thumb. Trigger finger usually presents in children less than 8 years old. It may be associated with anatomic, metabolic, inflammatory, and central nerve disorders. Flexion deformity of the finger is reported as the most frequent presentation of triggering. Diagnosis may be delayed because of the characteristic flexion posture of the newborn. Material and Methods: Between 2009 and 2014, we treated 37 trigger thumbs and fingers in 28 children. Results: Standard surgical techniques were used to release the A1 pulley in 32 digits of 27 patients. One patient that had five trigger digits was treated with steroid injections. Conclusion: Surgical release is recommended by many for the treatment of trigger finger in children if there is no discernible connection with either metabolic or inflammatory disease. We did not prefer conservative treatment after one year of age because of its failure and recurrence rates with the misbehavior and disobedience of children during physical therapy. Therefore, we maintain the recommendation of the standard surgical technique to release the A1 pulley for the treatment of triggering in childhood.