A Trigger Finger or Stenosing Tenosynovitis, is a common problem that affects the fingers of the hand and restricts their movement. The patient experiences snapping or locking of the finger and the affected finger does not even straighten or move on its own. The other hand might be needed to straighten the finger and you may even hear a clicking sound while trying to make the movement. A Trigger Finger is often accompanied by swelling at the base of the finger and is more prone to occurring to diabetic patients and women in their 50s.
Causes:
Though the exact cause of a Trigger Finger is not clear, it is found that inflammation that causes swelling of the tendons, is responsible for the problem. A tendon is a tissue that connects a bone with the muscle. The pull in the muscle that connects the palm to the forearm bends the finger towards the palm. Even swelling in tendon sheath, which is a tunnel that covers the tendon may cause a Trigger Finger. The tendon slides out of the sheath and due to swelling the tendon does not go back in the sheath and requires you to straighten it with your other hand. Trigger Finger also occurs due to Amyloidosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Symptoms:
- Lump in the palm
- Popping in the finger
- Pain while straightening and bending of finger
- Swelling Stiffness which aggravates with inactivity
- Loosening of fingers
- The patient may feel that the finger joint is dislocating and in severe cases the finger will be difficult to straighten even with help.
Treatment:
A doctor can diagnose the problem by clinically examining the fingers or by prescribing other tests like an x-ray. The patient may be advised to take rest and recommended a splint to keep the fingers in a neutral position. The hand and wrist pain doctor may also recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines to relieve the pain. If the problem is severe then the patient might have to undergo surgery. Any surgery takes some time to recover.
It is advisable to get the Trigger Finger properly diagnosed in time to get the best possible treatment at the earliest. If you are suffering from a Trigger Finger you can consult orthopedic surgeons at OrthoTexas and get a complete diagnosis of the condition. We can be contacted at (214) 618-5502.