Can Trigger Finger Be Prevented?
While it may not always be possible, several strategies can help reduce the risk of getting trigger finger:
- Take breaks: If your work or hobbies involve repetitive hand movements, take regular breaks to rest your hands and fingers.
- Early intervention: Pay attention to early signs of trigger finger, such as a small, tender lump at the base of your finger or thumb.
What Are the Available Treatments for Trigger Finger?
There are several non-surgical options to treat trigger finger, they all aim to reduce inflammation and improve finger movement. These are some of the most common treatments:
- Rest and activity modification: Avoiding activities that aggravate the condition, such as gripping activities, can help reduce symptoms.
- Splinting: Wearing a splint to keep the affected finger in a straight position, especially at night, can help rest the tendons.
- Ice therapy: Applying ice packs to the affected area for 10-15 minutes several times a day can reduce inflammation and pain.
- Physical therapy and stretching exercises: Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises can improve flexibility and reduce stiffness.
Other treatments include medications and/or injections:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce inflammation and pain.
- Corticosteroid injections: Injecting steroids directly into the tendon sheath can reduce inflammation and allow the tendon to move more freely. This option is often effective, but symptoms may return over time.
All of these treatments can be quite effective, especially in the early stages of trigger finger. Yet, if symptoms persist or worsen, we advise you to look into trigger finger release surgery.
Who Is a Candidate for Trigger Finger Release?
Trigger finger release is the most effective way of treating this condition, yet the patient must meet certain requirements to be a candidate for the surgery:
- Persistent symptoms: Patients who experience ongoing pain, stiffness, or locking of the finger.
- Failed non-surgical treatments: Patients who have tried other treatments without success. These include medicines, injections, and physical therapy among others.
- Severe cases: Patients with severe trigger finger, where the finger is stuck in a bent position and cannot be straightened, which impacts their daily activities.
- Recurrent trigger finger: Patients who have a history of trigger finger that is difficult to manage with non-surgical options.
- Underlying conditions: People with conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis that increase the likelihood of developing trigger finger.
Trigger Finger Symptoms Getting Worse? Visit Ashford Orthopedic Specialists
We know that living with trigger finger can be painful and debilitating. If your symptoms don’t seem to get better, even when trying non-surgical treatments make an appointment at Ashford Orthopedics Specialists. We are experts at treating hand conditions and will offer you a comprehensive appointment where we will assess your case and you can ask all of your questions. Book an appointment with us online or call us at 706-389-8941
