Do you experience a momentarily locked sensation in your fingers or difficulty in straighten them? Or does your finger make a snapping sound when you try to bend or grasp an object? If so, you may be experiencing a movement-limiting condition commonly referred to as trigger finger.

What is trigger finger?

It is a condition which causes pain, stiffness, or locking sensation which limits your finger movements making it difficult to straighten or bend your fingers. Medically the condition is known as “stenosing tenosynovitis”. Triggering mostly affects the ring finger and the thumb and are commonly distinct in the morning.

How does the trigger finger develop?

The fingers have several small bones which are connected to muscles by tendons (connective tissue). These tendons are surrounded by a protective sheath. Local swelling due to inflammation or scarring of this tendon sheath will obstruct smooth and free movement of the tendons causing trigger finger.

What are my chances of developing trigger finger?

Though the exact cause of trigger finger is not known, several factors can increase the risk of developing trigger finger. Such factors include:

• Forceful hand activities: Jobs that requires repetitive and forceful hand use or gripping may increase the risk of trigger finger.
• Gender: Trigger finger is common in females than males.
• Medical conditions: Some conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis can increase your risk of trigger finger.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery: Trigger finger can be a post-surgery complication associated with the surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome.

How do I know that I have trigger finger?

Signs and symptoms of trigger finger may progress from mild to severe. If not treated in the early stage, trigger finger can progress making the condition worse. Some common symptoms you may be experiencing if you have trigger finger are:

• Finger stiffness, mainly in morning
• A clicking sensation when you move your finger
• Swelling, tenderness or a bump (nodule) around the base of the affected finger

In severe case, the involved finger may get locked in a bent position which may suddenly pop.

How is trigger finger diagnosed?

Diagnosis of trigger finger doesn't require any elaborate testing. Doctor will be able to diagnose a trigger finger by physical examination of your hand. The stiffness, tenderness and nodular irregularity of tendon in the palm will be checked.

What are the treatment options available for trigger finger?

The treatment varies depending on the severity and duration of the condition. The initial treatment of trigger finger is usually non-surgical, which include:

• Home remedies: One can treat trigger finger at home by the following methods.
  
  • Taking break from forceful hand jobs
  • Applying ice packs
  • Stretching the fingers gently to enhance motion
  • Relaxing muscles and tendons by keeping hand in warm water
    
    
• Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, etc. helps to relieve pain and inflammation associated with trigger finger.
  
  
• Noninvasive therapy: Conventional noninvasive treatments may include:
  
  
  • Splints: Wearing a splint at night will keep the affected finger or thumb in a straight position especially while you sleep.
  • Proper rest: Avoiding activities that worsen the condition and by resting your hand aids to resolve the problem.
  • Exercise: Some gentle exercises will help you in reducing the stiffness on the joints and to improve the mobility of the finger.
  • Steroid injections: Corticosteroids (cortisone) is an anti-inflammatory agent which when injected into the tendon sheath of the finger may reduce inflammation and allow the tendon to move freely again.
    
    
• Surgical treatment: When the noninvasive treatment fails to improve your condition, the only option you are left with is surgery. The surgical option for trigger finger is elective, where the decision is based on the severity of the pain and loss of function of your finger.
  
  

  The surgical procedure for trigger finger is called as “tenolysis” or “trigger finger release”. In this procedure, a small incision is made near the base of your affected finger, through which the surgeon can cut open the constricted section of tendon sheath. This provides more space for the tendon and thereby allows tendon to glide freely through the tendon sheath.

Prevention methods:

One can prevent the chances of trigger finger by avoiding activities that strain the finger and tendons of the hands. You can also use some protective or soft grip covers which can help reduce the friction while doing various activities like holding powerful tools, steering, etc. Exercises that stretch and strengthen the wrist and fingers also help in preventing the chances of trigger finger.

Sources

1. Trigger finger. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trigger-finger/symptoms-causes/syc-20365100. Accessed on: 12-02-2020.
2. Trigger finger .https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/trigger-finger. Accessed on: 12-02-2020.
3. Trigger finger .https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/trigger-finger/. Accessed on: 12-02-2020.