Phase -3

Surgery with Digit Widget

You’re now armed with information!

Based on discussions with your surgeon you now understand the cause of your contracture and you’re confident the surgeon has a plan to address the torque imbalance.

You and your surgeon agree that the Digit Widget is an important step in your treatment and you’re ready to move forward.

You may be awake or anesthitized during surgery. The procedure typically only takes about 15 minutes. See the surgical technique video (below) for a step-by-step demonstration.

Surgical technique

This video contains the surgical technique for application of a Digit Widget on a real patient and may not be appropriate for all viewers.

The first 24 hours

Here you are, relaxing after having Digit Widget surgery. 

Don’t worry, there isn’t much you need to do to care for your ‘Widget’. The main things are to protect your finger from being bumped and from the device being caught on things like bedding or clothing. On the first day, you’re probably still getting comfortable with having the Digit Widget on your hand. Your surgeon and hand therapist are the best source for instructions specific to your treatment, but we’ll share general information here to help you get started.

The items in this image of the tray are labeled.

Cuff – the wrap around your hand

Hex Wrench – needed to adjust or remove your Digit Widget, so please keep it with you anytime you see your surgeon or therapist

MP Flexion Strap – used if you hyperextend at the MP joint

Connector Assembly – that “outrigger” on your finger

Elastic Bands – three weights of bands: light (purple), medium (pink) and heavy (tan)

Digit Widget Torque Performance (Bands)

Pain and swelling are often related to rushing the process/too much torque, but can be a sign of pin tract infection. 
You may find yourself trying to rush the process, but this is a slow “re-growing” of soft tissues, not stretching them. You should wear the device as close to 24 hours/day as possible. Be sure to change the bands daily and call or email if more bands are needed; there is no charge to mail bands to the patient, surgeon or therapist.

Start with the lightest weight band (purple) and look for 5-10˚ of extension gain per week. Progress to one medium (pink) band if needed; then to a heavy (tan) band. Note that two medium bands may exert more torque than one heavy band (as show on the attached graph here.).

After 24 hours

After 24 hours you should start changing the bands. There is a tool in the kit that can help, or you can use a paperclip as shown here

If you’re asking yourself “what have I gotten myself into!!??”, just take a deep breath and rest assured knowing that more than 17,000 Digit Widgets have been used since 2002. Patients have reported that Digit Widget treatment was their last hope before amputation and they’re thrilled with the results. Every patient is different, and every finger responds differently to Digit Widget treatment. But if you follow these basic instructions and the advice of your surgeon and hand therapist, you’ll very likely have a good experience and a greater range of motion after treatment.

The items in this image of the tray are labeled.

Digit Widget Torque Performance

Pain and swelling are often related to rushing the process/too much torque, but can be a sign of pin tract infection. 
You may find yourself trying to rush the process, but this is a slow “re-growing” of soft tissues, not stretching them. You should wear the device as close to 24 hours/day as possible. Be sure to change the bands daily and call or email if more bands are needed; there is no charge to mail bands to the patient, surgeon or therapist.

Start with the lightest weight band (purple) and look for 5-10˚ of extension gain per week. Progress to one medium (pink) band if needed; then to a heavy (tan) band. Note that two medium bands may exert more torque than one heavy band (as show on the attached graph here.).

After 24 hours

After 24 hours you should start changing the bands. There is a tool in the kit that can help, or you can use a paperclip as shown here

For maximum effectiveness

The Digit Widget needs to be worn nearly full time. However, the extension torque can be temporarily removed by either detaching the hook and loop tab from the cuff, or by removing the elastic band from the posts. This allows unrestricted flexion of the finger. All flexion exercises should be performed actively, meaning without any assistance and using only the muscles of the digit to flex and extend your finger. Passive or forced flexion of the PIP joint may cause injury, so leave those exercise to your surgeon or therapist.

If you’re asking yourself “what have I gotten myself into!!??”, just take a deep breath and rest assured knowing that more than 19,000 Digit Widgets have been used over the past 20 years. Patients have reported that Digit Widget treatment was their last hope before amputation and they’re thrilled with the results. Every patient is different, and every finger responds differently to Digit Widget treatment. But if you follow these basic instructions and the advice of your surgeon and hand therapist, you’ll very likely have a good experience and a greater range of motion after treatment.

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