Just as the name suggests, trigger finger is a condition that causes one or more fingers to lock up in a bent position. Trigger finger, also known as tenosynovitis, may be the result of a medication condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or repetitive activities such as grasping or pinching.
While anyone can develop trigger finger, those who’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to deal with this problem. If you are experiencing trigger finger, the team at Loredo Hand Care Institute can provide you with the treatment and care you need to get this problem under control.
Signs and Symptoms of Trigger Finger
If you have trigger finger you may experience,
A popping or locking when the finger is moving
A sore lump on the finger or on the palm near the finger
A finger that visibly bends and can’t be straightened
You may notice that pain and stiffness get worse after resting the affected hand for long periods of time. Therefore, you may notice that your symptoms may be worse first thing in the morning. In severe cases, the trigger finger may lock in place.
Diagnosing Trigger Finger
Diagnosing this condition is simple, as the symptoms are often visible through a simple physical exam. Our hand surgeon will check for swelling or tenderness of the tendon sheath or signs of locking or popping when moving the finger. Once we diagnose your trigger finger we can create a treatment plan.
Treating a Trigger Finger
A nonsurgical treatment plan is always the first course of action for managing trigger finger. Some of these treatment options include rest, stretching exercises, splinting the finger while you sleep, taking anti-inflammatory medications and getting corticosteroid injections to reduce severe inflammation and pain.
If your symptoms don’t improve with nonsurgical treatment options then our hand surgeon Dr. Pedro Loredo can sit down with you and discuss whether surgery will be more effective. You may choose to get surgery to repair the finger if it is significantly impacting your activities and daily routine or to prevent permanent stiffness. Trigger finger surgery, also referred to as trigger finger release, is a simple outpatient procedure that releases the A1 pulley, a joint pulley that allows the tendon to move without restriction.
