WHAT IS IT?
Trigger finger occurs when one of your for fingers gets stuck in a somewhat bent position with the fingertip pointing in towards the wrist. It locks into place and then snaps out when you attempt to straighten it. It is very painful and can affect more than one finger at a time.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
It occurs due to continuous movement of the fingers over time in areas such as farming industrial work and musicians. It is also caused due to inflammation of tendons that connect these fingers to muscles. Long-term irritation of tendons lead to scarring and thickening. Bending of your fingers then pull on these inflamed tendons causing that snapping effect.
SYMPTOMS
- Finger popping or snapping
- Stiff fingers in the morning
- A painful bump near the base of the affected fingers
- Fingers that lock in a bent position and straighten with a pop.
- Pain is worse when the finger is kept still gets better with motion.
TREATMENT
Only a physical exam by your doctor giving them clear details of your symptoms can diagnose trigger finger.
Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, then a series of treatments include:
- Resting from the repetitive activity that promoted the condition.
- Placing the affected fingers in a splint so that they remain in an extended period for a few weeks allows the tendon to rest.
- Gentle stretching exercises to aid the range of motion of the fingers.
- Anti-inflammatories medications.
- Steroid injections can be very powerful and has lasting effects of up to one year with only two shots.
Severe symptoms may require surgery:
- Percutaneous release involves use of a needle in the affected area to help loosen the tendon. It can be performed in your doctor’s office.
- Trigger finger release surgery involves a small cut at the base of the affected finger, in order to cut open the constricted section of the tendon.