TRIGGER FINGER

What is Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger is a painful condition that occurs when the tendons cannot move freely as a result of swelling in the sheath where the tendons move, causing contraction and locking, especially when the fingers or thumb are bent. Trigger finger tends to occur especially in people aged 45 and over and in people with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.

Trigger finger, which can be seen in all fingers, especially the thumb or ring finger, and is medically referred to as stenosis tenosynovitis, is also called trigger finger syndrome.

Trigger finger is most commonly seen in women over the age of 50, those with diabetes, those with low thyroid function and those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Trigger finger, the most common of which is pain, also shows symptoms such as swelling, cracking, popping and stiffness. The most common treatment method is usually resting the fingers, the splint method and trigger finger exercises.

What Causes Trigger Finger?

When an irritation such as inflammation and swelling occurs in the tendon or the synovial sheath it is in, the tendon cannot move freely within this tissue layer, and this makes it difficult to bend the finger or thumb. When a person bends their thumb or other fingers, in particular, their attempt to pull the inflamed tendon from this narrowed sheath causes a locking and painful condition called trigger finger.

What are the Symptoms of Trigger Finger?

The most common symptoms of trigger finger are stiffness in the fingers in the morning, a ‘pop’ sound heard during finger movement, a lump feeling in the palm of the affected finger, and a sudden locking of the finger. In addition, general trigger finger symptoms include the following:

How is Trigger Finger Diagnosed?

For the diagnosis of trigger finger, the doctor first asks the person to flex and move their fingers comfortably during the physical examination. Trigger finger can be diagnosed for people who have difficulty during this movement and can hardly move their fingers. The doctor may also request imaging tests such as ultrasound or x-ray for the diagnosis of trigger finger.

Trigger Finger Exercises

After the doctor diagnoses trigger finger, some trigger finger exercises and medical trigger finger treatment are applied. The most widely accepted among trigger finger exercises is the fist exercise. After making your hand into a fist, try to open it as wide as possible. It is recommended to do this movement slowly so that it does not cause pain and further irritation. Deciding how often to do trigger finger exercises under the supervision of a doctor will allow you to have a healthier recovery process.

Recommended trigger finger exercises other than fist exercises are joint range of motion exercises, tendon gliding exercises and active range of motion exercises.

Trigger Finger Treatment

Apart from trigger finger exercises, the most common methods to treat trigger finger are as follows:

Rest process: Taking a break from the work, activity or task that causes trigger finger for a while will allow the tendons to relax and heal.

Splint method: You may need to wear a immobilizing splint to keep the affected fingers in place and help them return to their original state.

Extension - stretching exercises: Your doctor may recommend opening and stretching exercises to help your tendons that cause trigger finger regain their flexibility

Anti-inflammatory medications: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications help reduce the pain and swelling caused by trigger finger.

Trigger finger surgery: Trigger finger can be opened by making a small incision near the base of the finger and cutting the narrowed part of the tendon sheath. Trigger finger surgery is usually performed in more severe cases of trigger finger surgery.