Researchers in South Korea observed what happens to Paediatric Trigger thumb over a period of time. They noted that over 60% of trigger thumbs can be expected to resolve without treatment. JBJS Am 2008; 90: 980-5
This finding is in agreement with Mike Hayton's clinical and personal experience, as both of his children had trigger thumb that resolved without treatment. His daughter by the age of 4 and his son by the age of 3. Mike does occasionally operate on trigger thumbs in children ,but usually over the age of 4, and when there is a significant bending over of the thumb for a few years, that may cause the underlying bones to deform if spontaneous resolution does not occur.