In essence, the painful condition characterized by locking of the thumb or fingers when bent is called trigger finger.
When the tendons become inflamed, trigger finger occurs.
The tough tissue bands that connect the muscles and the bones is called tendons.
The synovium (lubricating membrane surrounding the joint) makes the easy gliding of the tendon through the sheath possible.
When there is inflammation and swelling of the tendon, it can pop or snap when the affected finger is bent.
Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment options can range from noninvasive options to trigger finger surgery.
Cause
The condition can be attributed to repeated as well as forceful use of the thumb or the finger.
Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and gout, can also trigger the development of trigger finger.
Grasping a power tool for long periods can also result to the condition.
Industrial workers, farmers, and musicians are prone to developing trigger finger since they often perform repeated finger and thumb movements.
Trigger finger is more common among women.
People who are 40 to 60 years old are also more prone to developing the condition.
Symptoms
Soreness of the thumb base or the affected finger is often the first telltale sign of trigger finger.
Painful clicking or snapping is also noticed when bending or straightening the finger.
The catching sensation will often get worse when the affected finger and resting.
It will also often loose up when moved.
Diagnosis
In most cases, a physical examination of the hand and the fingers would be enough.
In some instances, the finger can swell and a hump over the joint situated in the palm will develop.
The finger affected can also become very stiff and painful and can get locked in a bent position.
X-rays and lab tests are often not needed in order to diagnose the condition.
Treatment Options
In most cases, those with trigger finger will be asked to rest the affected finger or thumb.
To ensure there is no joint movement, a splint may be recommended.
If symptoms will persist however, medications like ibuprofen or naproxen will be prescribed to help fight the inflammation.
Steroid injection into the tendon sheath is yet another treatment option available at one’s disposal.
However, if the condition will not respond to any of the conservative treatment options, trigger finger surgery will be the likely treatment alternative.
Recovery
While not true in all cases, the following is the typical scenario for those recovering from trigger finger surgery:
While the hand can already be used at least a day after the surgery, numbness would still be noticeable at 8 to 24 hours after.
Dressing will be kept dry for at least 5 days.
Wetting the hand will be allowed 7 days after the procedure.
Predicting when the patients can return to their normal activities will be based on several key factors like the exact procedure carried out and how active the patient is, among others.
In majority of the cases however, patients can already drive a day after the surgery and can use their hands to type a couple of days after.
Others can already participate in sports like tennis after 1 to 3 weeks while doing manual labor is possible after 3 to 4 weeks.
Patients will be given instructions post-surgery like exercising the affected finger, changing the bandage, and cleaning the wound.
Instructions must be adhered to strictly in order to ensure complications and infections are avoided.
Following the instructions given can also help ensure recovery will be quicker.
While recovery can be a case to case basis, typically, it can take several weeks.
If finger contractures develop however, recovery can take a while longer.
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