Trigger Finger: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

· 5 min read
Trigger Finger: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Psoriatic arthritis brings its own issues like swollen fingers and nail changes for those with psoriasis. In addition to her chiropractic work, Lauren is passionate about fitness and enjoy a variety of activities, from regular gym workouts to trying out new things like badminton and kayaking! She enjoys offering personalised guidance on exercises for her patients to use either in the gym or at home, to support their recovery. Rod qualified from the Surrey Institute of Osteopathic Medicine and completed further training in western acupuncture. He has recently attended further training courses in the treatment of post-natal mums and in the management of chronic pain.
Surgery is rarely necessary and is typically only recommended if other treatments fail. It's estimated that corticosteroid injections are an effective treatment for 50 to 70% of people with trigger finger. However, they're generally less effective in people with certain underlying health conditions, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. However it is a condition that is more likely to affect women than men and is more common in people in their 40s and 50s.



This background provides her with a strong foundation in human movement and exercise science, which she now integrates into her evidence-based physiotherapy practice. She is dedicated to developing personalised, functional, and goal-oriented rehab programs tailored to each individual’s needs and lifestyle. As mentioned there are two methods of seborrhoeic keratosis removal at the Skin Surgery Clinic. We use the C02RE laser for laser seborrhoeic keratosis removal.
The primary goal of trigger finger treatment is to reduce pain and restore the full range of motion in the affected finger. Treatment options range from conservative approaches to surgical intervention, depending on the severity of the condition. This will help alleviate the popping, locking, clicking, stiffness, soreness, bending, curling, and pain which irritated tendons elicit in the thumb or finger. Good splints will address your specific demands and preferences. An injection of a steroid near or into the tendon sheath may reduce inflammation and allow the tendon to glide freely again. The Private Skin Cancer Treatment service is consultant-led by Mr David Watt , Mr Andrew Williams and Mr David Mather who all work within the NHS as well as privately at our clinic.

A splint keeps the finger straight and extended without exerting undue pressure on the underlying tendon, thus giving it plenty of time to heal. Doctors usually recommend wearing a splint for about 6 weeks, particularly while sleeping when you are unaware of your finger placement. Rest the finger as much as possible until the swelling subsides and it becomes more flexible. Any undue exertion can worsen the damage, so you must give your finger enough time (4–6 weeks) to heal before you start using it for repeated gripping or grasping. The appointments after this will depend on your recovery at the initial review. You may be referred to a hand therapist for finger movement and strengthening exercises.
Surgery is usually recommended for trigger finger when conservative treatments, such as rest, splinting, steroid injections, or physiotherapy, have failed to relieve the symptoms. By having the patient able to actively bend and straighten their fingers several times, the surgeon can verify the mechanical symptoms are absent. Finger motion can return at different speeds depending on each patient and their unique timing of symptom development, when treatments begin, and the effectiveness of each type of treatment. Your hand surgeon will develop an individual treatment plan for you. There are several different surgical techniques, anesthesia options, and locations where the procedure can occur. The first treatment that most patients will try iscorticosteroid injections to reduce the inflammation in the tendon sheath.
They  will listen to your skin concerns and medical history, and examine the affected area. They will then make a diagnosis and discuss your options for treatment. If conservative treatments don’t provide sufficient relief, surgical intervention may be recommended to restore full hand function. At The Orthopedic Partners, we offer a minor procedure that is typically performed wide awake under local anesthetic only in the office setting.

The treatment is carried out with an injection of local anesthetic to reduce the discomfort, the laser ablates the seborrhoeic keratosis and the treated area will appear red after treatment. Steroid injections are a very effective treatment, carpal tunnel surgery leeds especially when given 3-6 months from the start of symptoms. One or two injections can often cure the triggering and get people back to normal. Injections are often used in diabetics as well, but statistically the cure rate is lower.
Trigger finger is a condition that affects one or more of the hand's tendons, making it difficult to bend the affected finger or thumb. If trigger finger persists, it can result in some limitation in motion of the finger. Flexion contractures sometimes may develop even after surgical release. A certified hand therapist may be required to optimize the return of function and motion to the digit in these more advanced cases.

Wrap some ice cubes, an ice pack, or a bag of frozen vegetables in a clean washcloth to make a cold compress at home. Place this compress on the affected finger and palm for no more than 10–15 minutes at a stretch, 33 times throughout the day. Cold therapy works by constricting the underlying blood vessels to reduce blood flow in the region. Applying a cold compress to the affected finger can help desensitize the underlying nerves to make you feel less pain and can also bring down the swelling. You can shower or bath as normal once the wounds are healed, around 10 days post surgery or when the stiches are removed but prior to this you need to keep the hand dry.
The ring finger is most commonly affected, but you can get it in your thumb, too. If your condition doesn't improve, your doctor might suggest surgery. Full recovery may take a few weeks, but swelling and stiffness may linger for 6 months. It can keep your symptoms at bay for a year or more, but you could need two shots to get results.
Trigger finger is normally managed with rest,  splinting, exercises and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . We are a CQC-registered private skin clinic in Guiseley, near Leeds-Bradford. In this video shows the process of removing a cyst with Mr Tom Collin at our Newcastle clinic. First, the area is marked, and a local anesthetic is injected to numb the region. Then, an incision is made over the cyst, and the tissue is deepened to reach the cyst wall.

Trigger finger is a painful condition that makes your fingers or thumb catch or lock when you bend them. If you need a diagnosis or would like advice about your treatment options, find your nearest hospital to book an appointment with a Spire GP or to find a consultant. Your consultant and their team will help you choose the most effective treatment and they will be there to support you every step of the way.
A finger splint can help keep the affected finger in a straightened position to limit movement and reduce inflammation. Splinting is often recommended at night to prevent the finger from locking during sleep. If your toenail has been painful for some time or has become infected, Skin Surgery Clinic offers ingrown toenail surgery carried out by a specialist GP. In minor cases, a toenail can gradually be encouraged to return to normal growth and shape using simple techniques at home.