Trigger Thumb

What is trigger thumb?

Tendons are attached to your bone and held on by pulleys or “loops.” Tendons bend and straighten our fingers and thumbs.

A lump develops on the tendon in trigger thumb. As the tendon moves up and down with straightening and bending the thumb, the lump catches on the pulleys. This can cause:

• clicking (triggering) at the thumb or
• the thumb become stuck in extension (straight) or flexion (bent).
  
  

Who can have trigger thumb?

Adults and children may get trigger thumb.

Trigger thumb can:

• feel different for children.
• often is not painful for a child.
• be annoying.
• begin to disrupt their normal hand activities.
• be on one or both hands.
  
  

Why does trigger thumb happen in children?

The cause for trigger thumb is unknown.

What are the symptoms of trigger thumb?

Your child may not have pain when the thumb is stuck. Some children can:

• straighten or bend their thumb with their other hand.
• have pain or a clicking sound when they bend or straighten their thumb.
• feel a bump at the base of their thumb.
  
  

How can you diagnose trigger thumb? 

It is best diagnosed by examining your child. X-rays are not needed for diagnosis of trigger thumb. It is an issue with the tendon that cannot be seen on x-ray.

How do you treat trigger thumb?

Sometimes trigger thumb in children can go away on its own with time. It is OK to check the child’s thumb as they grow. Trigger thumb may be more likely to go away in a younger child with trigger thumb.

As the child gets older, sometimes the trigger thumb may begin to affect their hand use. We often start with watching and waiting. Treatment options include surgery or splinting.

• The splinting program can be difficult for the child and family.
• Surgery is often more effective than splinting. Surgery is done in the Operating Room. It requires your child to be put under anesthesia.