Conservative
The conservative treatment consists of observation in time. Studies show that the trigger thumb spontaneously resolves in 49 months. According to Leung et al., trigger thumbs in infants resolve spontaneously in 63% of the cases. No residual deformities were found and there is no recurrence once resolved. Residual deformity is defined as persistent flexion deformities of the thumb and radial deviation at the IPJ. Extension exercises and splinting can be added to the observation. These two elements have favourable results in improvement in flexion impairment of the thumb. However, compared to observation, the benefit of merely extension exercises and splinting are still unclear.It has been recommended to attempt conservative treatment first, before attempting surgical treatment. Surgical
Surgical treatment should be considered when the patient has a trigger thumb bilaterally and when the patient has a severe trigger thumb. Severe is defined as when the thumb is locked so that the thumb cannot be flexed or extended either passively or actively. Surgical treatment should also be considered when observation and/or splint therapy has not achieved sufficient results after 49 months. Unlike the surgical treatment given for adults, which is unambiguously a surgical release of the A1 pulley of the thumb, the optimum surgical treatment for infants has not yet been discerned. In case of infants, research has shown that only in 15% of the cases A1 pulley release alone is sufficient.
Further indications for surgery include a neurological decline in spinal cord function in stable patients as well as those who require cervical spinal decompression. See also
Spinal cord injury
Anterior cord syndrome
Posterior cord syndrome
Brown-Séquard syndrome

References
External links
NINDS Central Cord Syndrome Information Page