A retrospective review to determine the long-term efficacy of orthotic devices for trigger finger

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the use of orthotic devices (splints) in an attempt to resolve trigger finger.

Methods: Data were extracted from 46 charts during a five-year period from January 2005 to December 2010. At ten weeks, patients were seen for follow-up assessment of pain and stage of stenosing tenosynovitis (SST). One-year follow-up was performed to determine if the patients required further surgical intervention or steroid injection. The data were analyzed to determine the efficacy of orthosis intervention.

Results: Mean pain score preorthotic is 5.63 and postorthotic is 1.20. Mean SST score preorthotic is 3.93 and postorthotic is 1.21. There was an 87% (40 patients) success rate with the orthotic intervention; 4.3% (two patients) had surgery and 8.5% (four patients) received a steroid injection in the year after orthotic application.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated the efficacy of orthoses for the reduction of pain and SST score for patients who have trigger finger.

Level of evidence: 3.