Non-surgical treatment is usually the best option for
treating trigger finger unless your finger or thumb is
in a locked position. Surgery is a last resort for
people with trigger finger whose finger or thumb
stubbornly remains in a locked position. If you have to
undergo surgery for your trigger finger, it will most
likely be done on an outpatient basis under a local
anesthetic. You may need therapy after a trigger finger
release procedure.
Trigger Finger is a condition that causes a person
difficulty in straightening the finger. This is due to
inflammation of the fibrous sheath surrounding the
tendons in the finger. When the individual with trigger
finger tries to straighten the affected finger, the
swelling causes resistance and suddenly, the resistance
is overcome, resulting in a sudden, jerky straightening
of the finger which resembles a trigger mechanism. In
addition, the patient may hear a clicking sound when the
finger overcomes the resistance and finally straightens.
Sometimes it causes the finger to lock in a bent
position, but this only happens in very severe cases.
Say
Goodbye to Trigger Finger
The goal of trigger finger treatment is to reduce
inflammation and pain and stop the finger from catching.
Trigger finger treatment involves icing the area, taking
medications for pain and inflammation, splinting the
area and trigger finger surgery. The response to trigger
finger treatment depends on the severity of the case as
well as the individual patient. Generally, the outcome
of trigger finger treatment is good.
If
the symptoms of trigger finger are mild, trigger finger
treatment can involve resting the hand and not overusing
the affected finger. Trigger finger treatment sometimes
simply involves icing the area and taking an
anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’S) are
often prescribed, but do have many side effects.
If
the condition persists, the physician may stop the pain
by injecting the affected area directly with a local
anesthetic and bring down inflammation in the tendon
sheath by injecting it with corticosteroid. This
injection can help stop pain and locking of the finger
for several months.
If
the pain and inflammation does not stop and the finger
continues to get stuck, trigger finger surgery may be
necessary. In addition, patient with rheumatoid
arthritis or diabetes will most likely require trigger
finger surgery in order to treat the condition. About
five percent of individuals with trigger finger require
trigger finger surgery.
Trigger finger surgery involves removing the segment of
tendon sheath that is causing the problem. Trigger
finger surgery can be done on an outpatient basis and
the patient gets relief from the problem right away.
Trigger finger surgery has a very good track record and
it is normally very successful in trigger finger
treatment. Following trigger finger surgery, patients
may need hand therapy in order to get better use of the
fingers.
If
you are going to get trigger finger surgery, it is
important to educate yourself as much as possible about
the procedure. Look it up on the internet, talk to your
doctor or someone who has already had the surgery. The
more you know about what to expect, the less anxiety you
will go through. After surgery, be prepared to only use
one hand for awhile.
Get Rid
of Trigger Finger
During trigger finger surgery, a local anesthetic or a
nerve block will be given and then a tiny incision is
made on the palm of the hand. The lumps in the tendon
may be scraped away, allowing the tendon to move
smoothly again. Sometimes the surgeon will make a slit
in the tendon sheath if necessary to restore movement.
After trigger finger surgery, you will be sent home to
rest and the hand will probably remain numb for about
ten hours. Once swelling goes down, the finger will
again move freely. Trigger finger surgery will leave you
with a scar on the palm of the hand which may become
tender and firm to the touch for up to eight weeks
following trigger finger surgery. To help the problem,
you can massage the area with a moisturizing lotion or
cream.
Possible complications of trigger finger surgery include
infection, bleeding or nerve damage.
Overall, treatment for trigger finger is generally very
successful. There is always a chance that trigger finger
will return after trigger finger surgery, however.
Trigger finger can also affect the other fingers as well
so surgery may be required again.
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