Effectiveness of Thumb’s Spica in Gamers Thumb – A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Gamer’s Thumb, clinically known as De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, is a repetitive strain injury involving inflammation and entrapment of the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons within the first dorsal compartment. With the rise of prolonged mobile and console gaming, the incidence of this condition has increased among young adults. Conservative physiotherapy management, including splinting and exercise, plays a vital role in pain relief and functional restoration.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a forearm-based thumb spica splint combined with a graded home exercise program in reducing pain and improving hand function in individuals with Gamer’s Thumb.

Methodology: A total of 20 participants were screened, out of which 16 met the inclusion criteria, and 14 completed the study. Participants aged 18–25 years with positive Finkelstein’s test and VAS ≥ 4 were recruited from GCU Physiocare. A thermoplastic thumb spica splint was applied for 2 weeks, followed by graded thumb and forearm exercises for 1 week. Outcome measures included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, QuickDASH for function, and Finkelstein’s test for diagnostic confirmation. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: The results showed significant improvement post-intervention, with mean VAS scores reducing from 6.8 ± 1.0 to 2.4 ± 0.9 (p < 0.001) and QuickDASH scores improving from 49.2 ± 10.5 to 18.6 ± 7.8 (p < 0.001). Positive Finkelstein’s test occurrences decreased from 100% to 21%. No adverse effects were reported, and compliance was high.

Conclusion: The study concludes that a short-term forearm-based thumb spica splint combined with a structured graded home exercise program is an effective, safe, and economical conservative management strategy for Gamer’s Thumb. This intervention significantly reduces pain, improves hand function, and can be recommended as a first-line treatment in physiotherapy practice.