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DIP vs MP Splinting for Trigger Finger Clients

Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT

February 26, 2013

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Question

What type of splinting do you recommend for a trigger finger patient who is one and a half years post-op and is beginning to have issues again?

Answer

You could do a DIP or you could do a MP, whichever is more comfortable for the client. Before the newest studies came out, I used the PIP splint, but after I saw the results of that study I lean more to the MP.  It also depends on what the client does for a living.  If they do a lot of typing or computer work, the MP splint is a little more comfortable because they can flex their DIP.  If the DIP is not an issue as far as typing, the DIP splint is sometimes more comfortable.  If that patient has already had a surgical procedure and has some scarring, the MP splint may be a bit uncomfortable.


ann porretto loehrke

Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT

Ann Porretto-Loehrke is a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) for treatment of the upper quadrant through the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine-United States (IAOM-US). She earned a post-professional Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Drexel University with a specialty in hand and upper quarter rehabilitation. Ann co-authored the chapter “Therapist’s Management of Other Nerve Compressions About the Elbow and Wrist” in the most recent edition of Rehabilitation of the Hand & Upper Extremity.  She is a therapy manager of a large department at the Hand to Shoulder Center of Wisconsin, located in Appleton, Wisconsin.  She is a dynamic, passionate instructor who loves teaching and providing patient care.


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