What is Trigger Finger?
Trigger finger or stenosing tenosynovitis is a medical condition in which your finger or thumb gets locked in the bent or straightened position. The finger becomes hard to move, and it may bend and straighten with a snap, just like a trigger being pulled and released.
What Causes Trigger Finger?
We are able to bend our fingers because flexor tendons in our arm, attach the forearm muscles to the bones of our fingers. When the forearm muscles contract, the flexor tendons pull the fingers in a bending position.
These flexor tendons are encased in a synovial membrane, called the tendon sheath. It provides cushioning and safety to the flexor tendons. Pulley like structures made up of fibrous tissue is located intermittently across the tendon sheath.
These pulleys provide critical constraint to the flexor tendon, allowing it to bend and straighten fingers easily. The A1 pulley can become inflamed from diseases, damage, or some other medical condition. Inflammation or thickening of the A1 pulley makes it harder for the flexor tendon to pass through the pulley.
If the inflammation in the A1 pulley persists, the flexor tendon can also become inflamed and develops a small lump or nodule. When the finger is bent, the nodule passes through the pulley, causing a sensation of popping or catching.
In severe cases, the nodule gets stuck in the pulley, making it impossible to bend or straighten the finger. Trigger finger treatment cures inflammation in the pulley and tendon to provide relief.
What are the Symptoms of Trigger Finger?
The symptoms of Trigger finger include:
- Severe pain in the finger.
- Difficulty or complete inability to move the finger from its locked position.
- A tender lump at the base of the finger, on the palm side of the hand.
- A snapping sensation when finger is bent.
If you are experiencing the above symptoms, you should consult an orthopedic doctor. The doctor will recommend Trigger finger treatment after diagnosis.
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FAQ’S
What Is the Best Way to Treat Trigger Finger?
- The most suitable and effective treatment recommended to you by your specialist may be the use of Cortisone injection or a trigger finger release surgery.
- Satisfied patients have shared a positive response after its use.
- The trigger finger starts to function normally after a specific period.
What Will Happen If a Trigger Finger Is Not Treated?
- There are higher chances of your finger becoming permanently unresponsive or bent if you leave it untreated.
- You will not be able to actively perform your tasks or daily routine chores.
- In the majority of cases, the trigger finger usually affects an individual finger, but in some cases, it may affect your other fingers at the same time.
What Causes Trigger Finger?
- The trigger finger may occur as a result of swelling or inflammation of the flexor tendons.
- The flexor tendons help in the movement of the fingers.
- If there is inflammation around the tendons or tissues of the fingers, it will adversely affect its mobility.
Can Trigger Finger Heal on Its Own?
- Yes, in most of the cases, it may get healed after a particular time.
- But if the pain is getting worse and fingers are getting stiffed for a long duration, then you must go to a specialist for treatment.
- And in some other cases, especially if you are diabetic, your specialist may recommend you to go for surgery.
