Digit Widget® Patient Information
Introduction
The Digit Widget uses the force of Elastic Bands to help straighten
a stiff, bent nger joint. It is important the device is adjusted and
maintained according to your surgeon’s recommendations. This
information card will give you a brief overview of how this can be
accomplished.
Your surgeon will determine the number and strength of Elastic
Bands that are appropriate in your situation. In general, the reversal
of a stiff, bent joint can take a signicant amount of time. The goal
is to apply enough force to encourage the nger tissues to gradually
lengthen, allowing the nger to straighten. This force should not be
so high as to cause undue discomfort, swelling or stiffness. Alert
your surgeon or therapist if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Removal for Hand Washing
Consult your surgeon/therapist to see if it is appropriate for you to
remove the device for hand washing.
1. Remove the Elastic Band(s). Note the quantity and color for
replacement.
2. Pull the Hook and Loop Tab off the Cuff on the back of your
hand.
3. Rotate the Connector Assembly by lifting the wrist end up
away from the hand until it snaps off the Pin Block at the
Pivot. Support the Pin Block to prevent the unsnapping force
from being felt at the bone pins (Fig. 2).
4. Remove the Cuff.
An alternative method using only one hand: Leaving the
Hook and Loop Tab in place, take a coin and insert it in the
space between the Pin Block and Connector Assembly from
the side as shown (Fig. 3). Turn the coin as you would rotate a
key to force the two pieces apart. The coin technique will only
work on the side of the Pin Block that has the printed words
“Digit Widget.” Proceed with steps 2 and 4.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Hook and
Loop Tab
Cuff
Connector
Assembly
Elastic
Band
Pivot
From the side, insert
a coin between the
Pin Block and the
Connector Assembly
then twist.
Reinstallation
1. Position the unwrapped Cuff on the hand as shown (Fig. 4) with
the smoother side against the skin. Wrap the nger strap across
the palm and attach near the wrist. Position the Cuff’s forward
edge parallel to the base of the ngers (Fig. 5).
2. Wrap the wrist strap across the palm and attach starting near
the base of the small nger and continuing toward the space
between thumb and nger (Fig. 6). Properly secured straps
should form an X or V pattern when viewed from the back of the
hand (Fig. 7). Snug the Cuff enough to prevent movement on the
hand but not so tight as to cause discomfort or nger swelling.
3. While supporting the Pin Block, snap the Connector Assembly
onto the Pivot (Fig. 8).
4. Reattach the Hook and Loop Tab to the Cuff directly over the
involved nger (Fig. 9).
5. Attach new Elastic Band(s) of the same color and quantity you
removed (Fig. 10).
6. If the Hook and Loop Tab is lifting the Cuff up away from the
hand, the tab may be placed onto the Cuff rst and the wrist
strap wrapped on top of it (Fig. 11).
Fig. 4 Fig. 5
wrist strap
finger strap
Fig. 6 wrist strap
Fig. 9
Pin
Block
Fig. 3
Coin
Fig. 8
Hook &
Loop Tab
wrist strap
Fig. 7
wrist strap
Fig. 11Fig. 10
