Trigger Finger - What Causes My Finger To Lock And Catch And Get Stuck?

Trigger finger is a coarse qoute in the hand that causes locking and pain in the complicated finger or thumb. The technical name used to recap trigger finger is stenosing tenosynovitis. Stenosing means a narrowing of a tunnel or tube-like buildings (the sheath of the tendon). Tenosynovitis means inflammation of the tendon.

Trigger Finger Surgery

Your fingers flex (make a fist) and expand (straighten out). Two sets of tendons make this inherent - flexor tendons (on the palm side) and extensor tendons (on the back side of the hand). Trigger finger involves the flexor tendons of the hand.

Flexor tendons are normally smooth, white bands of tissue that start as muscles in the forearm and join together to the bones in your fingers. As they go from the forearm into the wrist and fingers, they pass straight through tight tunnels (sheaths) that keep them close to the bones of your hand.

The sheath is lined with a lubricating tissue called synovium. This tissue sits in the middle of the tunnel wall and the tendon. Trigger finger is caused by inflammation of the synovium, enlargement of the tendon, and thickening or narrowing of the sheath itself, normally in the area of the palm closest to the fingers.

The name of the tendon sheath in this area is the "A1 pulley".

These problems with the tendon's lining, the tendon, and the sheath, all join to make it hard for the tendon to glide smoothly straight through the tunnel as your finger bends and straightens.

As the outpatient tries to flex (bend into a fist) the affected finger, the enlarged tendon has trouble passing underneath the sheath's tight opening. When the outpatient grips tight enough, the swollen tendon is suddenly pulled straight through the sheath with a painful snap, which may lock the finger in a bent position (it won't straighten except with help from the other hand). The action of straightening the finger from its locked position creates an additional one often painful snapping sensation as the enlarged tendon passes back straight through the tunnel.

What are the Causes?

The cause of trigger finger cannot be known for sure in all cases. Work or hobby activities that involve repetitive gripping or keeping tools strongly for long periods of time may strain the tendons and cause swelling and irritation of the tendon synovium (lining) or the tendons themselves.

Some patients with other medical problems like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout may establish trigger fingers more frequently than the average person.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Pain in the area of the inflamed tendon lining or sheath may be the first sign of trigger finger. Sometimes the pain may shoot or expand into the finger on the top side (back side of the hand), but is normally focused on the palm side at the base of the finger or thumb.

Painful locking or snapping of the finger is the next stage of symptoms that most patients experience. This is often worse in the morning but may be worse at the end of the work day.

When symptoms have been going on for some months, the locking may stop, but patients may be left with a stiff finger that does not bend or straighten like it used to. The pain may or may not subside as the locking stops.

How is it treated?

Non-surgical treatment is a good first step in treating trigger finger. Surgical operation may be a inexpensive first step if the finger is locked in a painful, stiff position and cannot be "unstuck" by the outpatient without ultimate pain. This is unusual.

The first step in treatment is to avoid or decrease the action that seems to aggravate the locking and pain. Warm water soaks, anti-inflammatory medicines, and over-the-counter rubs and creams may help with the symptoms of trigger finger.

A steroid injection may also be recommended. The injection places a small whole of anti-inflammatory cortisone directly where the qoute is - in the tendon sheath. This reduces swelling and inflammation in the tendon sheath and may cure the qoute forever. Success rates with injections are close to 60% in most cases.

Surgery may be accepted when these non-surgical treatments fail to cure the problem. I normally suggest no more than two steroid injections in the same finger, but this rule is not absolute.

Trigger finger Surgical operation is outpatient surgery. It is done under local anesthetic, with or without sedation. An incision is made in the palm of the hand at the base of the finger or thumb.

The surgeon cuts the swollen, tight tendon sheath at this level, and this frees up the tendon to glide smoothly straight through the finger.

After Surgical operation a small dressing is placed on the hand to safe the incision but allow flexibility and request for retrial for the fingers. In most cases the dressing can be removed in five days and the outpatient may lightly use all the fingers the day after surgery. If there are sutures on the covering of the skin, they are removed in 10 to 14 days.

Arthritis Trigger Finger - What is it and What Can You Do About It?

Stenosing tenosynovitis is more commonly known as trigger finger arthritis. There is a misconception that the trigger finger is the pointer or index finger when it comes to this kind of arthritis. This is because the index finger is particularly used in pulling the trigger of a gun. But the truth is arthritis trigger finger can occur in any finger of the hand.

Trigger Finger Surgery

What Is It?

Trigger finger is legitimately a "snapping" or "popping" of a finger of the hand as it is fulfilled, or opened. The snapping is the think why it was called trigger finger in the first place. This health is more commonly found in the index, middle and ring fingers. And the snapping is effortlessly heard upon attempting to flex the fingers while production a firm grip. There is a sudden stuttering of the digit as it closes then snaps close instead of the usual flat way.

Sometimes, the affected finger cannot anymore stretch back into position and there is a locking in that position so that the other hand will have to help it towards extension. Upon extension, someone else snap is heard. Pain accompanies the snapping, foremost the patient to the doctor.

The popping of the finger is the hallmark of trigger finger and is normally worse in the morning upon getting up. But as the health worsens, the popping becomes more regular. In the worst scenario, the bump or swollen part of the tendon may lock in place so that it gets stuck there.

What Causes Trigger Finger?

So how do we get this condition? Actually, trigger finger is an inflammation of the tendon that pulls the finger to a fulfilled, position upon flexion. It may also be caused by scarring in the same tendon. Most of the time, it comes in isolated cases. In this single case, though, trigger finger comes with other symptoms within the hand that accompanies rheumatoid arthritis in the area.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an abnormal health that is caused by wear and tear or overuse. So prolonged use of the fingers can at last lead to micro-injuries that may later on swell and lead to trigger finger. Aside from this, rheumatoid arthritis has been found to be a hereditary health where it runs in families. Therefore, adding wear-and-tear may trigger it onset or exacerbate the already-present condition.

In 2005, it has been found that most of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis come with symptoms of swelling colse to the tendons of the palm, later on foremost to trigger finger. The onset of this health is gradual and is more commonly seen in women with the fourth finger being the most commonly involved. Studies also prove that trigger finger does not come from heavy use but with light constant use of the area.

How Can It Be Treated?

If we do get trigger finger, what can we do treat it? There are home remedies ready for the medicine of this health and for most types of arthritis in general. Doing passive stretching of the hand and fingers toward postponement is a good way to forestall the formation of adhesions in the area and to heighten blood circulation as well. Putting ice intermittently in the area for 15 minutes or more legitimately lessens the swelling that goes with inflammation. The most foremost is performance modification where the movements that causes more symptoms should be avoided altogether.

But of course in most instances, trigger finger cannot be treated by home remedies alone. Doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs that are very helpful for the healing of the part involved. Usually, drugs like ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen are given to patients. The fastest relief is the injection of a local cortisone colse to the affected tendon.

Splinting the area is also a clarification to forestall usage of the tendons. This will forestall the worsening of the inflammation.

There are cases when even after 2 cortisone injections, there is no relief for the patient. This is when surgical operation is required to remove the scarred or inflamed tissues. Approximately half the estimate of patients answer to cortisone injection. Those who don't resort to surgery. Although with puny risk, there are cases that recur after the operation. But this is only done if the rest of the medicine therapy have been tried but were not successful.

If you feel that you are starting to show symptoms of arthritis trigger finger, do not panic. Consulting the doctor is still the best remedy. It is good to catch the health while it is still beginning. The later you go to a doctor, the more likely that you are going to experience surgery. So don't be scared, see your orthopedic doctor right away.

Defeating Painful Symptoms of Trigger Thumb

Trigger thumb is a tasteless repetitive strain injury that can cause critical impairment in hand strength, dexterity, and daily functioning. The condition is characterized by pain, catching or "locking" of the thumb, and can corollary in mystery performing everyday tasks. Although there are many organic causes of trigger thumb, environmental factors (e.g., workplace conditions, repetitive tasks and job demands) commonly play a critical role.

Trigger Finger Surgery

Trigger Thumb, or stenosing tenosynovitis, as it is known in the medical world, is the corollary of acute trauma causing micro-tears or a continuing overuse injury appealing the flexor tendon that runs through the thumb. Specifically, the flexor pollicis longus tendon develops nodules or adhesions on it, which in turn leads to increased disagreement as the tendon passes through the pulley system, resulting in the irritation and swelling of the tendon and the connected nodules on the tendon. This inflammation and irritation increases the size of the nodules or adhesions, causing the dysfunction to greatly growth as the thumb is flexed over and over. Essentially, the nodule or adhesion on the affected tendon in the thumb gets trapped as it passes through the pulley theory as the thumb is flexed but the thumb cannot return via postponement in the same level manner due to the adhesion or nodule getting stuck or "catching" as it tries to pass back through the pulley system. Because of this, the thumb tends to lock down into the palm of the hand as well as produces painful catching or clicking that is commonly connected with Trigger Thumb.

Trigger Thumb is a more tasteless injury in women than men, and it is more often noticed in people that are suffering from continuing illnesses. Rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, for example, are tasteless correlates of Trigger Thumb. The theorize for this seems to be caused by the speed in which people heal from injury, and people with continuing disorders like diabetes and arthritis tend to heal at a much slower rate. However, movement also plays a critical role in the manifestation of the malady. Repetitive movements and increased tension, stress and strain on the hands through heavy lifting, typing, and long hours at a steering wheel can lead to Trigger Thumb as well.

There are numerous rehabilitation options for reducing the pain and impairment connected with thumb and finger triggering. Often rest and over-the-counter medications are enough to bring temporary relief and perhaps cut the rate of onset due to reduced irritation and swelling of the tissues. Individuals seeing for long-term rehabilitation for Trigger Thumb, however, are advised to consider approved stretches and exercises that promote the integrity of the muscles and tendons in the hand and forearm. Stretches that help thin and lengthen the affected tendon and exercises that growth circulation and break down the developing adhesions and nodules, most often formed from scar tissue, are very important. Although surgical operation is the most used method of treatment, it is far from effective. Non-invasive exercises promoting the stretching of the flexor tendons and strengthening the extensor tendons shows great promise in preventing and treating this disorder.

Always consult your doctor prior to manufacture a decision about your healthcare.