We reviewed 110 trigger digits, treated surgically, to compare the outcomes of trigger finger and trigger thumb in terms of peri-operative characteristics and complications. The patients with trigger thumb complained mainly of pain on motion, while those with trigger finger complained of triggering or limited range of motion. Trigger fingers had a significantly longer duration before surgery than did trigger thumbs. Trigger fingers took significantly longer for the symptoms to subside. In our series, 64% of trigger fingers had a flexion contracture of the PIP joint more than three weeks after surgery. Our results suggest that the peri-operative characteristics and outcomes differ between trigger finger and thumb, and that the surgical outcome for trigger finger was poorer than that for trigger thumb, partly due to flexion contracture of the PIP joint.

Halo application is a standard method for cervical immobilization. However, complications may occur in children because of their thin skull and immature bone. The authors report two cases of odontoid fracture in preschool children treated with a Minerva cast. Two 4-year-old children sustained displaced odontoid fractures in motor vehicle accidents. The fractures were immediately reduced and immobilized using a Minerva cast, followed by the application of a soft collar. By the 1-year follow-up, uneventful bone union had occurred, and the children were able to attend preschool with minimal or no neurologic deficits. The Minerva cast is a classic, inexpensive method of cervical immobilization and is still useful for this kind of fracture. Immediate reduction and immobilization with a Minerva cast is a viable option for displaced odontoid fractures in preschool children.

We report a trigger finger of the right index finger in a 28-year-old man with acromegaly, in which condition growth hormone increases extracellular volume by stimulating sodium reabsorption in the distal nephron. The increase in extracellular fluid can cause oedematous swelling of the flexor synovium in the digital sheath.