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Splinting for the treatment of pediatric trigger thumbs: a pilot study

Schienenbehandlung des kindlichen Schnappdaumens: eine Pilotstudie

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Summary

Controversy still exists whether conservative treatment may be a useful option for the treatment of pediatric trigger thumbs. We reviewed a random sample patient cohort with regard to success rates depending on whether flexible or fixed trigger thumbs were present. We performed a pilot study of 13 children (15 thumbs), who received a standardized treatment protocol including a custom-made thermoplastic splint for use during sleeping hours for a minimum of 3 months. Splinting was of only minor value for moderate and severe cases was but was beneficial for the majority of patients showing triggering symptoms only. It may thus be a reasonable option to delay surgery in infants with mild/flexible cases.

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Correspondence to Sebastian Farr M.D. Ass. Prof..

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S. Farr and D. Taurok declare that they have no competing interests.

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Farr, S., Taurok, D. Splinting for the treatment of pediatric trigger thumbs: a pilot study. Wien Med Wochenschr 172, 294–295 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-021-00860-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-021-00860-8

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