Specialty: Children's surgery
Age group: Children
Criteria for referral to public hospital service
- Persisting or intermittent stenosing tenosynovitis (suggested by stiffness, locking, tenderness or painful clicking symptoms).
Information to be included in the referral
Information that must be provided
- Reason for referral and expectation or outcome, anticipated by the patient, or their carer, and the referring clinician from referral to the health service
- Detailed clinical examination with functional assessment
- Description of onset, nature, recurrence and duration of symptoms
- How symptoms are impacting on daily activities including impact on school, study or exercise
- Child’s age.
Provide if available
- Statement about the parent(s) or guardian’s interest in having surgical treatment if that is a possible intervention
- If the child identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- If the child is neurodiverse, gender diverse or has a disability
- If the child has a preferred language other than English and if they rely on cultural or linguistic support (e.g. Aboriginal cultural support, an interpreter)
- If the child lives in out-of-home care (foster care, kinship care, permanent care or residential care)
- If the child is aged 14-18 years, do they consent that their health information is shared with their parent, guardian or carer.
Additional comments
The Minimum information for referrals to non-admitted specialist services lists the information that should be included in a referral request.
Young children should be referred as early as possible, preferably before the age of 3 years.
Diagnostic imaging has no role in the assessment or management of trigger finger or thumb. Imaging reports do not inform the assessment of referrals and unnecessary imaging adds to parenteral concern.
Where appropriate and available the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.
Referral to a public hospital is not appropriate for
Not applicable.
Reviewed 12 August 2025