The trigger finger, also known as a triggered finger or snosinovitis, is an inflammation of the tendon responsible for bending the finger, which always causes the affected finger to bend, even when trying to open it, causing severe pain in the hand.
In addition, chronic inflammation of the tendons can also cause a nodule to form at the base of the finger, responsible for a click, similar to a trigger, when closing and opening the finger, as shown in the image.
- The trigger finger is curable most of the time with the use of physical therapy exercises.
- But in more severe cases.
- Surgery may be required.
Symptoms of the trigger finger may include
These symptoms are usually more severe in the morning, due to inactivity and increased swelling that usually occurs at night.
The thumb, middle finger, and ring are most commonly affected fingers, but inflammation can occur on any finger, especially in middle-aged women.
In mild cases, the relaxed finger is treated with physical therapy, exercises and massages, which are used to strengthen the muscles responsible for stretching the hand and fingers, maintaining mobility and relieving swelling and pain, here’s how to do some of these exercises.
However, other treatment measures include
In severe cases, where pain is very severe and hinders physical therapy, the orthopedist may apply a cortisone injection directly to the nodule, this procedure is simple and rapid and aims to relieve symptoms, especially pain, however, it may be necessary to repeat the procedure and it is not advisable to use it frequently as a weakening of the tendon and a risk of rupture or infection may occur.
Trigger finger surgery is performed when other forms of treatment don’t work, with a small cut in the palm of your hand that allows your doctor to widen or release the initial part of the tendon sheath.
Generally, this type of surgery is performed under general anesthesia in the hospital and, therefore, although it is a simple and low-risk surgery of complications, it may be necessary to spend the night in the hospital to ensure that the effect of anesthesia passes.After that, the recovery is quite quick and you can return to light activities with your hand in 1 or 2 weeks, according to the orthopedicist’s advice.
The most common causes of trigger finger appearance are
However, in most cases, the cause is unknown and the diagnosis is made by hand observation and additional tests, such as an ultrasound or MRI.
Trigger finger in a baby can occur due to congenital or traumatic factors and when not treated properly, severe deformities can occur due to the immaturity of the child’s bones.
Treatment of these cases can be done with physical therapy, massage and surgery after the child has turned 1 year old, some doctors prefer to perform surgery immediately, while others prefer to try other forms of treatment and only after surgery, without However, surgery is mandatory when movement is blocked.