How to Treat Trigger Finger?

What is Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger, medically termed stenosing tenosynovitis, manifests when one of your fingers or your thumb catches in a bent position and then swiftly straightens, reminiscent of pulling and releasing a gun trigger. It arises due to inflammation or swelling in the flexor tendon, impeding its smooth movement through the sheath. This inflammation leads to pain, stiffness, and a distinctive clicking or popping sensation during the movement of the affected finger. This condition hampers the flexibility of your fingers or thumb, making it challenging to move them freely and earning its name from the gesture resembling pulling an invisible trigger.

Why is Trigger Finger a Concern?

Trigger finger is a concern because it can impact daily activities and diminish the affected individual's quality of life. The catching or snapping sensation can be painful and may limit the range of motion in the affected finger. In severe cases, the finger may become locked in a bent or straightened position, making it challenging to perform even simple tasks.

How to Identify Trigger Finger?

Identifying trigger finger involves recognizing common symptoms such as pain and stiffness at the base of the affected finger or thumb. You may also notice a popping or clicking sensation when moving the finger. In more advanced cases, the finger may become locked in a bent or straightened position, requiring manual assistance to move it.

Treatment Solutions for Trigger Finger:

1. Rest and Immobilization: Giving the affected finger time to rest is often the first line of treatment. Immobilizing the finger with a splint or brace can help reduce strain on the tendon, allowing it to heal.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation in the affected tendon. These medications are often recommended in conjunction with other treatment methods.
3. Hand Exercises and Physical Therapy: Specific exercises and physical therapy can improve the range of motion in the affected finger and strengthen the surrounding muscles. A therapist may guide the individual through exercises to enhance flexibility and reduce stiffness.
4. Hot and Cold Therapy: Applying heat or cold to the affected finger can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Warm compresses or ice packs can be used, depending on individual preference and the stage of inflammation.
5. Corticosteroid Injections: In cases where conservative measures are not sufficient, corticosteroid injections may be administered. These injections directly target the inflamed tendon, providing relief from pain and reducing swelling.
6. Percutaneous Release: For individuals with persistent symptoms, a percutaneous release procedure may be considered. This involves a needle-like instrument being inserted into the affected tendon sheath to break apart the constriction, allowing the tendon to move more freely.
7. Surgery (Trigger Finger Release): In severe or chronic cases, trigger finger release surgery may be recommended. This outpatient procedure involves cutting the affected tendon sheath, providing more space for the tendon to move without catching.
   

Benefit Points of Trigger Finger Treatment:

1. Pain Relief: Treatment for trigger finger aims to alleviate pain, allowing individuals to perform daily activities with greater comfort.
2. Improved Range of Motion: Rest, exercises, and therapeutic interventions contribute to improved flexibility and range of motion in the affected finger.
3. Enhanced Functionality: As symptoms are addressed, individuals experience enhanced functionality in the affected finger, enabling them to resume regular activities.
4. Non-Invasive Options: Many treatment solutions, such as rest, exercises, and medications, are non-invasive and serve as initial measures to address trigger finger.
5. Personalized Approach: Treatment plans can be tailored to the severity of symptoms, ensuring an individualized approach that meets the specific needs of each patient.
6. Minimized Discomfort: Through a combination of rest, medications, and therapeutic interventions, discomfort associated with trigger finger can be minimized, promoting a better overall quality of life.
7. Prevention of Locking: Timely and a ppropriate treatment helps prevent the finger from becoming locked in a bent or straightened position, preserving normal finger function.