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| Trigger Finger Inflammation |
Trigger finger happens when tendons in the finger or thumb
become inflamed.
Tendons are tough bands of tissue that connect muscles
and bones. Together, the tendons and muscles in the hands and arms bend and
straighten the fingers and thumbs.
A tendon usually glides easily through the tissue that
covers it (called a sheath) because of a lubricating membrane surrounding the
joint called the synovium.
Sometimes a tendon may become inflamed and swollen. When
this happens, bending the finger or thumb can pull the inflamed tendon through
a narrowed tendon sheath, making it snap or pop.
Trigger finger occurs when inflammation narrows the space
within the sheath that surrounds the tendon in the affected finger. If trigger
finger is severe, your finger may become locked in a bent position.
People whose work or hobbies require repetitive gripping
actions are at higher risk of developing trigger finger. Although it can occur
in anyone, it is seen more frequently in the diabetic population and in women,
typically in the fifth to sixth decade of life. Treatment of trigger finger
varies depending on the severity.
Diagnosis of trigger finger doesn't require any elaborate
testing. No X-rays or lab tests are used to diagnose trigger finger.
Causes
Trigger finger can be caused by a repeated movement or
forceful use of the finger or thumb. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and diabetes
also can cause trigger finger. So can grasping something, such as a power tool,
with a firm grip for a long time. Tendons are fibrous cords that attach muscle
to bone. Each tendon is surrounded by a protective sheath. Trigger finger
occurs when the affected finger's tendon sheath becomes irritated and inflamed.
This interferes with the normal gliding motion of the tendon through the
sheath.
Prolonged irritation of the tendon sheath can produce
scarring, thickening and the formation of bumps (nodules) that impede the
tendon's motion even more.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of trigger finger may progress from
mild to severe and include:
- Finger stiffness, particularly in the morning
- A popping or clicking sensation as you move your finger
- Tenderness or a bump(nodule) in the palm at the base of the affected finger
- Finger catching or locking in a bent position, which suddenly pops straight
- Finger locked in a bent position, which you are unable to straighten
When to See a Health Practitioner
If you have any stiffness or catching in a finger joint,
bring it to the attention of your health practitioner so that he or she may
review your symptoms and perform a physical evaluation of your hand. If your
finger joint is hot and inflamed, seek immediate medical care because these
signs indicate a possible infection.
Risk
Factors
Factors that put you at risk of developing trigger finger
include:
- Repeated gripping - People with occupations or hobbies that require routine, repetitive finger movements, such as operating machines or power tools and playing musical instruments, are at a higher risk of developing trigger finger. If this describes you, try to switch up the hand or finger(s) you use in especially repetitive movements.
- Occupations and hobbies that involve repetitive hand use and prolonged gripping may increase your risk of trigger finger.
- The increased use of SmartPhones and tablet devices have led to an increase in the incidence of trigger finger and thumb pain.
- Smokers can get trigger thumb from repeated use of a lighter.
- Certain health problems such as Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, diabetes are at higher risk of developing trigger finger.
- Your sex. Trigger finger is six times more common in women than in men.
Medical
Treatment/Drugs
· Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen
(Aleve) — may relieve the pain but are unlikely to relieve the swelling constricting
the tendon sheath or trapping the tendon.
· Steroid
Injection and/or Surgery - an injection of a steroid (cortisone) near or into
the tendon sheath may reduce inflammation and allow the tendon to glide freely
again. This is the most common treatment, and in people who do not have
diabetes, it is effective in up to 90% percent of patients. In people with
diabetes, it is effective about half the time. Sometimes to obtain these
results a second injection is needed.
Problem
Resurfaced:
"I
have had a trigger finger for several months; first the middle finger of my left
hand. I had an injection that seemed to help for several weeks, then the
problem resurfaced." Teacher 52 (Female)
Steroids
Did Not Work:
"When
I woke up in the morning, my middle finger would be stuck in the bent position.
It could only be lifted back into position with my other hand, and it was very
painful.The pain radiated to the palm of my hand and it was constant. I
started using a splint at night to keep the finger straight. I was first given
oral steroids which did not work. I hope
to have surgery soon." DB 49.
Injections
Did Not Last:
"I
had symptoms typical of trigger finger. Having discussed with the surgeon I opted
for injection therapy.This was carried out with good effect. I had good relief
of symptoms for upward of five months and now the symptoms have recurred. Now
I'm thinking of going for the permanent surgical treatment." Male 55
Working through a small incision near the base of your
affected finger, a surgeon can cut open the constricted section of tendon sheath.This procedure is usually done in an operating room.
There are no guarantees for treatment! NSAID's, Cortisone injections, and surgery
may not be necessary and are harmful long term.
Low
Light Laser Therapy at OsteoKlinika
We have great results with Trigger Finger. How do we do it? First, we know a lot about inflammation and
how to treat it without drugs, invasive injections or surgery. Low Light Laser Therapy is the quickest and
most effective way to relieve the inflammation in Trigger Finger. We use and recommend
BioFlex Low Light Therapy to deal with inflammation. Now the healing is
stimulated at the cellular level. This session may take 30 minutes to 1 hour
depending on the condition being treated. Elimination of inflammatory process assists in structural
stabilization of the joints and healing surrounding area.
Recent Testimonial
"After several months of feeling as though I might have arthritis in my right middle finger, it began feeling like I'd jammed my middle finger on my right hand.The pain grew
worse as time passed and at night it would 'draw' and be frozen in a
bent position by the time I woke in the morning.There was no straightening it
without excruciating pain, but using my left hand, I could draw the finger
up to a normal position. As it worsened,
it felt like my finger and down through my palm was on fire.This also made it
difficult to hold things and there was weakness in those joints that made it
difficult to squeeze, pick up or hold anything. I couldn't close my fist. Every
finger went down except for that one finger. It was highly inflamed and I took a
few Aleve with little relief, but that didn't help after the third day. I waited to see if it would get better.
But it didn't. Shortly after, the pain increased I went directly to Andrew at OsteoKlinika who quickly assessed diagnosed “trigger finger” and recommended immediate low light laser -10
treatments for 30 minutes each to deal with the inflammation and subsequent healing. Taking a deep breath, I knew it
was going to be very difficult to commit to such a treatment because I live in
Scarborough and the clinic is in Vaughan! I admit my thoughts went to a more “immediate”, 'free' and easy solution.
After reading about trigger finger, I quickly recognized that the solutions the
medical community were offering were cortisone, anti-inflammatories, injections
or surgery. Knowing I I really had no other choice but to have the laser therapy, the commitment was made. In the 2nd or 3rd laser
treatment, it felt as though it was feeling even more painful and Carol told me this is
very typical with laser therapy treatments and to keep the faith! She was right
because the inflammation was markedly reduced by the 4th
treatment. (I also reduced the use of my right hand and used it only for light housekeeping.)
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| Osteopathic Manipulation after Laser Therapy |
It has been 2 weeks since my 10 laser treatments and there's little to no pain and very slight inflammation. Andrew advises the laser “keeps on working”
after the 10 treatments. I am seeing the improvement now, 2 weeks later.
Drug, steroid and surgery-free is always going to be my first choice. Thank you to the kind and capable staff
at OsteoKlinika!" S. Bennett – Client.
Low Light Laser
Therapy:
- acts as an analgesic
- has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect
- stimulates the immune system
- regulates new healthy cells
It eliminates pain and other symptoms and with a very
sophisticated architectural design, Low Light Laser Therapy is used to treat a
wide spectrum of conditions that may be chronic or acute, degenerative or
traumatic in origin. It is particularly useful in treating severe sports
injuries, low back problems, traumatic injuries and degenerated conditions of
the knees.
A typical laser treatment consists of three steps:
· visible red light
· invisible
infra-red light
· the application
of laser probe where it is used manually in the area
An increasing number of physicians, physiotherapists,
osteopaths, massage therapists, chiropractors, naturopaths, dentists and
veterinarians, worldwide are using Bio-Flex Low Light Laser Therapy.
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| 905.660.8810 OsteoKlinika |
Before you consider surgery or drugs;or if you are still
experiencing pain more than 6 months after surgery, for more information about
inflammation and pain, Andrew Subieta can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain
Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810. Also, please check our website at
www.osteoklinika.com for learn more about our unique, trademarked process
called Bio-Structural Integration™, or
our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.
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