Trigger finger occurs with symptoms such as sudden locking, stiffness and pain of the fingers and affects the quality of life very negatively. It generally occurs in the little finger, ring finger and thumb. It is commonly observed in the fingers of the right hand.
What is trigger finger?
Trigger finger, also known as tenosynovitis stenosing, is a condition in which the fingers or thumb contract or lock during movement (especially bending). The locked finger is very difficult to restore and causes a lot of pain to the patient.
What causes trigger finger?
Tendons are hard bands of tissue that connect muscles and bones with your finger or thumb. Tendons allow the muscles in the hands and arms, fingers and thumbs and many other places to bend and straighten. A tendon usually slides easily through the tissue covering it (also called the sheath) thanks to the synovium, a lubricating membrane that surrounds the joints. Prolonged irritation of the tendon sheath can cause scarring and thickening, which affects the movement of the tendon. When this happens, bending your finger or thumb pulls on the inflamed tendon. Trigger finger can also occur when tendons become inflamed. This causes pinching and swelling. It is usually caused by a repetitive movement or regular strenuous use of the fingers. In short, the cause of trigger finger disease is that the tendons cannot fulfil their function as they should.
What are the symptoms?
Trigger finger can affect any finger, including all fingers. It can also affect more than one finger at a time and can occur in both hands. The symptoms of trigger finger are the same in many people. Some symptoms
- Stiff fingers when you wake up in the morning
- A ‘click’ when moving the fingers
- Locking of the finger or fingers in a straight or bent to the centre, making it difficult to move
- Palm tenderness, lump (nodule) sensation in the affected finger or fingers
Who is usually affected?
Trigger finger usually occurs between the ages of 40-60. Trigger finger is more common in women than in men. Diseases such as diabetes, gout and rheumatoid arthritis can cause trigger finger. It is more common among people working in occupational groups that repeat finger and thumb movements such as farmers, industrial workers, musicians.
How is trigger finger treated?
Trigger finger treatment is divided into two as surgical and non-surgical. The main aim of both treatments is to reduce the swelling and restore the fingers to their former catching motion. The first preferred method is of course the non-surgical one, but if the methods do not help, trigger finger surgery may be required for the patient to use the finger functionally again. Anyone who suspects this disease should consult a doctor.
