Trigger finger or trigger finger is a painful condition that occurs when a finger or thumb gets stuck in a bent position, as if you are pulling a trigger. Once it is unstuck, the finger jumps straight out, like when a trigger is released. This condition causes pain, stiffness, and a locky feeling when you bend and stretch your finger, it is also known as “stenosing tenosynovitis” and can affect any finger, or more than one, when it affects your thumb, it is called trigger thumb.
What is a trigger finger?
Tendons connect muscles to bones. When you squeeze a muscle, it pulls on the tendon and this causes the bone to move. The tendons that move the finger slide through a tendon sheath as the finger is bent. If the tendon becomes inflamed and smaller, or the tendon has a bulge, the tendon cannot slide smoothly through the tendon sheath. When you can’t slide smoothly, the tendon can get stuck when you try to straighten your finger.
Causes of trigger finger
There is no clear cause for this injury, although it may be related to rheumatoid arthritis, gout or diabetes. In most cases, the main cause is repeated movement and/or forced use of your finger or thumb that can lead to inflammation of the tendons or sheaths around the tendons. Also, occupations and hobbies that involve repetitive use of the hands and prolonged grasping can increase the risk of trigger finger. This condition is more common in women than in men, especially between the ages of 40 and 60.
Symptoms of trigger finger
The symptoms of trigger finger or trigger finger can appear in a mild to acute way and some of them are:
Stiffness in the finger, especially in the morning.
Clicking or cracking sensation when you move your finger.
Tenderness or a lump (nodule) in the palm of the hand, at the base of the affected finger.
The finger gets stuck or stuck in the flexion position, and it suddenly pops out.
The finger locks in the flexion or bent finger position and you can't stretch it again.
Treatment
Trigger finger treatment involves removing compression from the tendon and allowing full movement of the finger without discomfort. You may choose to use a splint or oral anti-inflammatory medications. A non-invasive procedure such as infiltration may also be considered. If these treatments do not work, you should opt for surgery.
Seek immediate medical attention if your finger joint is hot and swollen, as these signs may indicate an infection.
If you have stiffness, numbness or pain in your finger joint, or if you can’t straighten or bend a finger, make an appointment with your doctor. The Orthopedic Traumatologist is the doctor in charge of this condition and works in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system, one of these pathologies is the trigger finger. The purpose of orthopedic orthopedism is to treat injuries or fractures of the bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments such as trigger finger.
If you need medical attention to diagnose and treat your trigger finger , do not hesitate to contact us.
