A Simple Splint for Trigger Finger

Trigger finger, idiopathic or secondary to diabetes and inflammatory arthritis, is a common clinical condition in hand surgery. There is a 2.4% life-time risk of developing trigger finger in the general population.[1] Though it may not be debilitating, it can be associated with pain and locking episodes which warrant active interventions apart from analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications. Management of this common problem depends on the grading as suggested by Quinnell.[2]

It is widely believed that grades 0 to 2 can be managed with splints (with or without local steroid) involving the immobilization of either distal interphalangeal joint or the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint, the latter being more efficient in the relief of symptoms.[1] [3]

We, in our department, have been using a surgeon’s fabricated splint to immobilize the MP joint in 10 to 15 degrees’ flexion using 20 or 50 mL syringe available in the operating room depending on the size of the digit. When cut and trimmed as shown in [Fig. 1], one can easily customize the splint for any digit with a little bit of packing. Method of using the splint is shown in [Figs. 2] and [3]. The simplicity of the splint lies in its light weight, easy donning, and doffing without any fastener. The splint can be cleaned without compromising the hygiene. The fabrication of the splint does not take a lot of time and cost, and is easily accepted by the patients. We have not had any splint-related problem in patients who were treated in selected cases during the past several years and hence we recommend the same. Usage of syringe as a splint in hand is not a new concept.[4] We have applied the same for trigger finger.

Fig. 1 A 50-mL syringe cut into shape for trigger finger splint.

Fig. 2 View of the splint after wearing.

Fig. 3 Showing usage of splint (side and front views).

Publication History

Article published online:
13 April 2020

• Reference

• 1 Giugale JM, Fowler JR. Trigger finger: adult and pediatric treatment strategies. Orthop Clin North Am 2015; 4 6 (04) 561-569
• 2 Quinnell RC. Conservative management of trigger finger. Practitioner 1980; 2 24 (13/40) 187-190
• 3 Colbourn J, Heath N, Manary S, Pacifico D. Effectiveness of splinting for the treatment of trigger finger. J Hand Ther 2008; 2 1 (04) 336-343
• 4 Jena A, Reddy GV, Reddy NR, Patnayak R, Manilal B. Use of plastic syringe as a splint for contracted fingers. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2016; 9( [phone]