Effectiveness of Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Orthosis and Therapeutic Exercise in the Management of Trigger Finger: A Prospective Case Series.

Purpose: Trigger finger, or stenosing tenosynovitis, is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by pain, stiffness, and locking of the affected digit. This prospective case series evaluated the outcomes of a commercially available proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint orthosis combined with therapeutic exercise in patients with Green grades I-III trigger finger. Thumbs were excluded. Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years with trigger finger (Green grades I-III) were treated with a PIP joint orthosis worn during sleep and as needed during the day, together with a structured exercise program including flexor tendon gliding and stretching exercises for 6 weeks. Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale [NPRS]), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand ( Results: Seventy-nine patients (107 affected digits) were enrolled, with a mean age of 51.8 ± 9.8 years and a women-to-men ratio of 3.4:1. After 6 weeks of intervention, median NPRS pain scores significantly decreased from 6 to 1 during movement, and Conclusions: In this prospective case series, the combination of PIP joint orthosis and therapeutic exercise was associated with reduced pain, improved hand function, and decreased triggering severity in patients with Green grades I-III trigger finger. Because of the absence of a control group, these findings demonstrate feasibility and short-term clinical improvement but cannot establish superiority over other conservative treatments. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV.