Even if you never touched a gun, you can get Trigger Finger. Trigger finger can happen to any finger on either hand.
Trigger Finger is when your finger gets stuck in a bent position. When you try to straighten it out, it snaps back into place. It’s also very painful.
Each of your fingers has tendons. The tendons are inside a sheath. The tendon gets inflamed. It can’t slide back and forth in the sheath any more. The swelling makes it get stuck.
It’s a lot like the more commonly known Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Both are caused by inflamed tendons or ligaments. The difference is carpal tunnel also affects a nerve in your hand. Trigger Finger doesn’t affect nerves, except for the pain that comes with.
Who can get it? The Mayo Clinic says anyone, but some people have a higher risk. This article says, “People whose work or hobbies require repetitive gripping actions are at higher risk of developing trigger finger. The condition is also more common in women and in anyone with diabetes. Treatment of trigger finger varies depending on the severity.”
Treatment is done with anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Therapy is:
• Rest. Try to avoid activities that require gripping, grasping or repeated use of that hand. Avoid vibrating machinery.
• Ice or heat. This depends on your preference. Some people ice down a few times a day. Some people use heat. We find heat works best in the morning when the condition is the most painful.
• Splint. This keeps your finger from moving. Definitely wear it at night because you may flex your fingers while asleep. When driving, a splint will prevent you from curling that finger around the steering wheel. Use caution.
• Stretch. Sometimes your doctor will recommend gentle stretching exercises to help mobility.
Trigger Finger is the common name for stenosing tenosynovitis (stuh-NO-sing ten-o-sin-o-VIE-tis). Just call it Trigger Finger. Your doctor will understand and so will we. If you need more information, contact Raritan Physical Therapy or come by the office at 16 Campus Drive, Edison, NJ.