Trigger finger symptoms include pain, stiffness, and a snapping sensation when bending and straightening the finger. It is caused by inflammation and swelling of the tendon, often due to repetitive use or conditions like arthritis. Treatment includes exercises, ice, anti-inflammatory medication, and medical procedures like cortisone injections or trigger finger release. Surgery may be needed in severe cases.
Among the most common symptoms of trigger fingers is pain when moving the affected finger or thumb. Trigger finger symptoms can also present as a sore, inflexible, or frozen finger, which most often occurs after prolonged hand rest. A loud crackling is often felt with attempts to straighten the finger and tenderness of the finger, especially at its base.
When a finger or thumb bends or bends and cannot straighten without an audible snap, this is a condition known as stenosing tenosynovitis. Commonly called trigger finger, this restriction of finger movement occurs when the tendon in the finger becomes inflamed and swollen. This can occur when the covering, called the sheath, stretches and restricts the free movement of the tendon needed to bend and straighten the fingers.
Often a complication from strains of repetitive use or inflammatory responses, such as an injury or conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, trigger finger symptoms most often occur in the middle finger or thumb of the dominant hand. Anytime your finger grips in a bent position, it can cause more irritation to the tendon and surrounding area. Chronic blockage of the finger joint can lead to tendon scarring and an overall reduction in flexibility. There may be an abnormal appearance of the fingers in the form of thickening of the tendon or protrusion or bump in the joint area. The continuous pressure exerted on the tendon can also produce tissue damage by scraping the surface and causing small scratches or breaks.
Treatment for trigger finger symptoms usually focuses on relieving pain and restoring natural motion to the fingers without the joint locking and snag-like motion with finger extension. Range-of-motion exercises, including bending and straightening your fingers in warm water, can help relieve morning stiffness. Applying ice to the base of the finger and taking anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the swelling and pain that can occur after overuse of the hands and fingers.
When trigger finger symptoms suddenly attack, stopping the aggravating finger movements and using a compression bandage or splint can ease the discomfort. Symptoms that continue over time and prevent normal activities may require medical treatment. Steroids, in the form of a cortisone injection, can help reduce pain and inflammation. The tension can be released through specific medical techniques such as the trigger finger release, a minimally invasive procedure in which an inserted needle disengages the blocked tendon. In severe cases, surgery is needed to repair and release the strained tendon.
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