Trigger Finger | Treatment Options | Causes

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Painful conditions that can lead to the thumb or fingers to lock or catch in a bent position are familiar known as trigger finger or stenosing tenosynovitis! The inflammation of tendon sheath is usually one of the most common areas where these problems occur for the first time. Tendon sheath is tendons located/positioned within a protective covering.

You might also be interested to know more about carpal tunnel syndrome, before continuing!

The trigger finger treatment options vary which are usually closely dependent on the severity. For mild cases, you can do home remedies with/without some additional treatments. And for severe cases, you may need more advanced treatments!

Causes of trigger finger

The fingers of your hands have tendons and muscles that have important contribution to allow you on extending & bending your thumb and fingers. And there are also tissues that cover tendon or also called ‘sheath’. Tendons usually can be easily to glide through the sheath due to synovium (a lubricating membrane that surrounds the joint).

And some conditions can lead to a narrowing of the sheath which then can put you at higher risk of trigger finger. A narrowing of the sheath can make the tendons be difficult to glide through the sheath.

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Some common conditions that may lead to trigger finger are forceful use or highly repetitive of the thumb and finger. Furthermore, there are also some medical conditions (such as; diabetes, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis) that can lead to changes in tissues.

Trigger finger treatment options

Home remedies

Below are common tips to relieve mild trigger finger at home:

1. Massage, this option may help relieve the pain of your affected fingers, but it doesn’t affect the inflammation.
2. Warm water therapy! Prepare warm water and then place your affected hand in there! Do it in the morning for 4-6 times a week. This option may help minimize the severity of the catching sensation. If this works, you may need to try this option for several times throughout the day.
3. Don’t forget to get adequate rest, especially from any activities that can make your pain worse! Depending on the severity, you may need to rest your hands and fingers from any repeated gripping movements for about 4-6 weeks!
4. Other helpful treatments for mild cases may include finger exercise and splinting. Talk more with your doctor for more detailed information about these treatments.

Treatments for serious cases

For serious cases, you need to consult with your doctor to get the right advices! Generally, advanced treatments & approaches to cure severe trigger finger may include:

1. NSAIDs or ‘Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs’, which may include Motrin and Advil! These drugs are usually intended to treat the pain of trigger finger.
2. Percutaneous! Some doctors believe that it is the most effective procedure for ring, middle, and index fingers. In this procedure, doctors usually use a needle with local anesthesia in order to release the locked finger.
3. Steroid injection, like glucocorticoid! This procedure usually can work optimally if given/taken immediately after symptoms of trigger finger begin! But it may be less effective for patients that also have diabetes or rheumatoid!
4. Surgery! This is the last option (less common) that may be needed if other treatments don’t work successfully!

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Reference: MayoClinic and WebMD