Trigger finger is a painful condition that causes your fingers or thumb to catch or lock when you bend them. It can affect any finger, or more than one. When it affects your thumb, it’s called trigger thumb.

1. Trigger Finger
by
Kids Orthopedic

2. ABOUT THE DISEASE

3. Trigger finger is a painful
condition that causes your
fingers or thumb to catch or
lock when you bend them. It
can affect any finger, or more
than one. When it affects your
thumb, it’s called trigger thumb.

4. Trigger finger is also known as steno sing tenosynovitis (stuh-NO-sing ten-o-
sin-o-VIE-tis). It occurs when inflammation narrows the space within the
sheath that surrounds the tendon in the affected finger. If trigger finger is
severe, your finger may become locked in a bent position.

5. Symptoms

6. Signs and symptoms of trigger finger may progress from mild to severe and
include:
1. Finger stiffness, particularly in the morning
2. A popping or clicking sensation as you move your finger
3. Tenderness or a bump (nodule) in the palm at the base of the affected
finger
4. Finger catching or locking in a bent position, which suddenly pops
straight
5. Finger locked in a bent position, which you are unable to straighten

7. Trigger finger can affect any finger, including the thumb. More than one
finger may be affected at a time, and both hands might be involved.
Triggering is usually more pronounced in the morning, while firmly grasping
an object or when straightening your finger.

8. Causes

9. Most of the time, it comes from a repeated movement or forceful use of your
finger or thumb. It can also happen when tendons -- tough bands of tissue
that connect muscles and bones in your finger or thumb -- get inflamed.
Together, they and the muscles in your hands and arms bend and straighten
your fingers and thumbs.

10. A tendon usually glides easily through the tissue that covers it (called a sheath) thanks
to the synovium, a lubricating membrane that surrounds joints. Sometimes a tendon
gets inflamed and swollen. Prolonged irritation of the tendon sheath can lead to
scarring and thickening that affect the tendon's motion. When this happens, bending
your finger or thumb pulls the inflamed tendon through a narrowed sheath and makes
it snap or pop.

11. Risk factors

12. Factors that put you at risk of developing trigger finger include:
Repeated gripping. Occupations and hobbies that involve repetitive hand use
and prolonged gripping may increase your risk of trigger finger.
Certain health problems. People who have diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
are at higher risk of developing trigger finger.

13. Your sex. Trigger finger is more common in women.
Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery. Trigger finger may be a complication
associated with surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome surgery, especially during
the first six months after surgery.

14. Diagnosis

15. Diagnosis of trigger finger doesn't require any elaborate testing. Your
doctor or health care provider makes the diagnosis based on your medical
history and a physical exam. During the physical exam, your doctor will ask
you to open and close your hand, checking for areas of pain, smoothness of
motion and evidence of locking.

16. Treatment

17. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin
IB) or naproxen (Aleve) — may relieve the pain but are unlikely to relieve
the swelling constricting the tendon sheath or trapping the tendon.
Medications

18. Therapy
Conservative noninvasive treatments may include:
Rest. Avoid activities that require repetitive gripping, repeated grasping or
the prolonged use of vibrating hand-held machinery until your symptoms
improve. If you can't avoid these activities altogether, padded gloves may
offer some protection.

19. A splint. Your doctor may have you wear a splint at night to keep the affected
finger in an extended position for up to six weeks. The splint helps rest the
tendon.
Stretching exercises. Your doctor may also suggest gentle exercises to help
maintain mobility in your finger.

20. Surgical and other procedures

21. An injection of a steroid medication near or into the tendon sheath may
reduce inflammation and allow the tendon to glide freely again. This is
the most common treatment, and it's usually effective for a year or more
in most people treated. But sometimes it takes more than one injection.
For people with diabetes, steroid injections tend to be less effective.
Steroid Injection

22. After numbing your palm, your doctor inserts a sturdy needle into the
tissue around your affected tendon. Moving the needle and your finger
helps break apart the constriction that's blocking the smooth motion of the
tendon.
Percutaneous Release

23. This treatment may be done under ultrasound control, so the doctor can
see where the tip of the needle is under the skin to be sure it opens the
tendon sheath without damaging the tendon or nearby nerves. This
procedure is usually done in the doctor's office or in an office procedure
room.

24. Working through a small incision near the base of your affected finger, a surgeon
can cut open the constricted section of tendon sheath. This procedure is usually
done in an operating room.
Surgery

25. Recovery

26. The time it takes to get better depends on how bad your condition is. The
choice of treatment also affects recovery. For example, you may need to wear
a splint for 6 weeks. But most patients with trigger finger recover within a few
weeks by resting the finger and using anti-inflammatory drugs.

27. You should be able to move your finger just after surgery. Raising your
hand above your heart can ease swelling and pain. Full recovery may take
a few weeks, but swelling and stiffness may linger for 6 months. If your
finger was super stiff before surgery, the doctor will probably suggest
physical therapy to teach you exercises to help loosen it.

28. Contact Us
For Appointment: +91 9051148463
For Emergency: +91 9330026550
Mail : drsoumyapaik@gmail.com
Website: http://www.kidsorthopedic.com/