Orthosis vs. exercise for the treatment of adult idiopathic trigger fingers: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: Trigger finger is a common clinical disorder that often results in pain and functional limitations. This study aimed to determine whether joint-blocking orthosis was effective in treating adult idiopathic trigger fingers. Methods: Fifty-five participants were randomly assigned to either a hand therapy group or an orthosis group that immobilized the proximal interphalangeal joint for 6 weeks. The Green classification of triggering; short-form version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; and numeric pain rating scale were used to assess participants’ data. Results: The orthosis was “successful” in completely resolving the symptoms of trigger finger in 53.6% of the participants at 6 weeks postintervention, whereas the hand therapy control group did not result in any “successful” outcomes. The Green classification score for the orthosis group decreased from 2.68 (standard deviation = 0.47) at baseline to 0.93 (standard deviation = 1.12) at 6 weeks. The short-form version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand disability score was significantly reduced after wearing the orthosis, F (2, 52) = 74.16 p < 0.001, and improved from baseline (M = 37.6) to 6 weeks (M = 20.26). The pain intensity score was also significantly decreased after wearing the orthosis, F (2, 52) = 52.17 p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.67. Conclusion: Using orthosis to immobilize the proximal interphalangeal joint, day and night, for 6 weeks, is an effective and reasonable option for treating idiopathic trigger fingers with Green grade 2 or 3. Hand therapy without orthosis did not result in significant improvements.