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Pediatric Trigger Thumb and Finger

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The Pediatric Upper Extremity

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Abstract

Pediatric trigger thumb presents most commonly in a locked flexed position at an age of around 2 years, whereas pediatric trigger finger more commonly presents as a triggering phenomenon in a slightly older population. Pediatric trigger thumb is 10 times more common than pediatric trigger finger. Pediatric trigger thumb and fingers should not be managed like their adult counterparts. In the pediatric population, the locked trigger thumb can be observed for 3–6 months to determine if resolution may occur; if it does not, surgical release is indicated. Surgical release of the trigger thumb includes release of the A1 pulley, while surgical release of the trigger digit includes release of the A1 and A3 pulleys with possible resection of one slip of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon. Surgical results are excellent with few complications.

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge Drs. Dan Marek and Frank Fitoussi and Deb Bohn in our cooperative work in further understanding pediatric trigger thumb.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, 55455, MN, USA

    Ann E. Van Heest

Authors
  1. Ann E. Van Heest
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Correspondence to Ann E. Van Heest .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Orthopedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Joshua M. Abzug

  2. Shriners Hospitals for Children, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Scott H. Kozin

  3. Shriners Hospitals for Children, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Dan A. Zlotolow

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Van Heest, A.E. (2015). Pediatric Trigger Thumb and Finger. In: Abzug, J., Kozin, S., Zlotolow, D. (eds) The Pediatric Upper Extremity. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8515-5_79

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8515-5_79

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-8513-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-8515-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

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