Help Is Available for Trigger Finger


“Trigger finger” may be an amusing little name, but if you have this condition it is anything but amusing.  It can be annoying and downright painful – read on for some more information about trigger finger and what you can do about it.

What is a trigger finger?

Trigger finger happens when the tendon (the tissue that connects bone and muscle) in the finger becomes inflamed, affecting the finger’s movement. This can cause your finger to become locked in the bent position, and you may not be able to straighten it. It can also cause finger stiffness (especially in the morning), a clicking or snapping when you move your finger, and/or a nodule (a bump) at the base of the affected finger.

This condition is more common among women between the ages of 40 and 60. It is often seen in people who have repetitive finger and thumb movements as part of their job or hobby, and is usually worse in the mornings. It can also often occur in people with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or in people who have recently had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. It can affect any finger (including the thumb) and may affect more than one finger at a time. It can even affect both hands.

What can be done for trigger finger?

Your doctor will want to start with simple treatments first, such as a splint, stretching exercises, an over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen that helps with inflammation, steroid injections, and/or rest. If these don’t work, or if your symptoms are especially severe, surgery may be recommended. After surgery, physical therapy might be recommended to help you recover, and you might have to wear a splint for a month or more. Full recovery can take a few weeks, but your finger might be stiff for a few months or more.

If you notice pain or stiffness in your finger, or that your finger has started to freeze when it is bent, you may have trigger finger. Call Specialty Orthopaedics in Harrison, New York, for a consultation to get help for this condition. Call today, at 914-686-0111!

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