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Trigger finger is caused by swelling of the tendon sheath, which puts pressure on the tendon and causes the finger to be pulled towards the palm. Treatment includes addressing swelling, exercise therapy, and in rare cases, surgery. Therapy can also help prevent recurrence. Both men and women of all ages can experience trigger finger. Seeking treatment early is important to prevent permanent damage.
Often referred to as a trigger thumb, trigger finger involves irritation of the sheath that covers the flexor tendons inside the finger. This often causes the tendon sheath to swell, which in turn puts pressure on the tendon. The pressure around the tendon interferes with the tendon’s ability to move and can also pinch the tendon so that the finger is pulled toward the palm. It is because of the pulled nature of the finger that the condition is called trigger finger, as the pinched tendon usually pulls the finger into a position much like the way a finger is bent when pulling the trigger on a firearm .
Trigger fingers should be treated as soon as the condition becomes apparent. Swelling will be the first sign of the condition, followed by the inability to straighten the finger without feeling pain. Addressing swelling is the first line of defense when dealing with tendon irritation. A doctor may choose to give a corticosteroid injection into the base of the finger, although there are critics who believe the corticosteroid only provides temporary relief.
In general, the next step is to arrange exercise therapy. The main goal is to relieve the swelling as soon as possible while ensuring that there is no residual damage to the tendon due to the swelling. In some cases, a splint may be employed, as can the application of anti-inflammatory creams to help with the swelling. In very rare cases, outpatient surgery may be used to cut the sheath around the tendon and relieve the pressure.
One of the reasons therapy is so essential for treating trigger thumbs is that therapy can help identify any conditions that may lead to a recurrence of your trigger finger. As the swelling subsides, it is often easier to determine the origins of the situation and effectively treat the reasons behind the first outbreak. By isolating the source of the problem, it is possible to prevent the establishment of a continuous cycle in which the individual experiences another round of trigger finger every few months.
Trigger finger is not a condition limited to one sector of the population. Both men and women can experience trigger finger, with cases occurring in young people and people past retirement age. Seeking treatment immediately will help get the condition under control in a short time and possibly prevent permanent damage to the tendons in the finger.
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