How do you treat pediatric trigger thumb?
There are three ways to treat PTT.
- Wait and watch to see if the flexion contracture goes away on its own. In children younger than one year of age, PTT sometimes disappears without anything being done.
- Stretching and splinting the thumb. The doctor will teach you how to stretch and massage your child’s thumb.
- Surgery.
Do kids grow out of trigger thumb?
Unfortunately, most children do not grow out of pediatric trigger thumb and require surgery to “unlock” the tendon and allow full motion of the thumb. If splinting can not or has not improved the condition, your provider may recommend surgery.
What exercises are good for trigger thumb?
Trigger finger exercises
- Fingertip bend. To perform the fingertip bend exercise, hold the finger just below the top joint.
- Tip and middle joint bend. Below are some steps for performing the tip and middle joint bend exercise.
- Clenched wrist bend.
- Side to side wrist bend.
- Hand turn.
- Hand clench.
- Finger curl.
- The bent finger.
Can Trigger Finger happen in children?
Although it’s rarely noticed at birth, trigger finger and thumb can be present in infancy. The condition is also often found in older children between the ages of 1 and 4.
How do you massage a toddler with a trigger thumb?
To massage it, massage at the base of the thumb where you can feel the nodule. Massage can help the tendon to move past the A1 pulley. If stretching isn’t enough, your child will need an operation called a trigger thumb release, or an A1 pulley release.
Is pediatric trigger thumb common?
Pediatric trigger thumb is thought to affect as many as three out of every 1,000 children. It is not truly congenital (present at birth), but is most common in children younger than 5 years old. Trigger thumb in children is distinctly different from trigger finger or trigger thumb in adults.
How do you massage a trigger thumb?
Start by lightly massaging the area at the base of the affected finger. Then make a fist as you bring all of your fingers together. Open and close your fist for 30 seconds. Then straighten the affected finger and bring it back down to touch your palm.
Can trigger thumb resolve itself?
Trigger finger can recur but the condition generally corrects itself after a short while. More severe cases may become locked in the bent position and require surgery to correct it.
How do you release a trigger thumb in a toddler?
If stretching and splinting aren’t enough, your child will need a day surgery called trigger thumb release or A1 pulley release. The surgeon makes a small cut (incision) on your child’s palm in the crease of skin at the base of the thumb. Then the surgeon cuts through the A1 pulley.
How do you heal a trigger thumb naturally?
Trigger finger treatment can range from rest to surgery, depending on the severity of your condition. Resting your hands if possible, wearing a splint at night, stretching exercises and a steroid injection all can alleviate trigger finger without surgery.