Night Splinting for Idiopathic Trigger Digits.

Background: This study assessed nighttime splinting for 6 weeks as treatment for recent onset idiopathic trigger fingers.

Methods: Patients over 18 years with a Quinnell grade 1 or 2, idiopathic trigger finger or thumb causing symptoms for less than 3 months were eligible for a custom-made hand-based orthoplast night orthotic. Improvement of symptoms and/or resolution of triggering were recorded. Patients also completed the short version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and a numerical rating scale for pain at the initial visit, after 6 to 8 weeks, and after 3 months.

Results: Thirty-four patients wore a night orthotic for at least 6 weeks. At final evaluation, there was a substantial reduction in disability and pain. Symptoms of triggering resolved completely in 18 patients (55%). Sixteen patients did not resolve their triggering after splinting and therefore underwent a steroid injection.

Conclusion: Night splinting is a noninvasive treatment option for idiopathic trigger fingers/thumb with symptoms for less than 3 months.