Learn about the symptoms, causes, self-check and treatment of trigger finger.
It becomes difficult to bend or straighten the finger, and the finger makes a clicking sound when it moves, like a trigger, which is how the condition got its name. If left untreated for a long time, nerves can be damaged and the finger's range of motion becomes limited.
01
A clicking sound when bending or straightening the finger
02
The hand feels stiff and rigid in the morning
03
Pain when pressing the palm side of the affected finger
04
Swelling of the finger joints
Jobs that involve repeatedly gripping tools or equipment
e.g. drivers, mechanics, cooks
Repeated friction on the palm from sports such as golf
Secondary to arthritis or gout
My finger does not bend or straighten easily.
I often have pain or swelling around my finger joints.
My finger makes a clicking sound when I move it.
When the symptoms of trigger finger are clear, it can be diagnosed by palpation alone, because there is pain at the base of the finger and a slight catching of the tendon when the finger is bent and straightened. If needed, an ultrasound is performed to check whether the tendon is swollen or there is inflammation around it.
TREATMENT
For mild symptoms, non-surgical treatment such as anti-inflammatory painkillers is used to reduce inflammation and swelling. However, if the pain is severe and the finger clicks every time it moves, surgery is performed.
For mild symptoms, non-surgical treatment such as anti-inflammatory painkillers is used to reduce inflammation and swelling.
[Medication]
Treatment with medications such as anti-inflammatory painkillers that relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
[Injection Therapy]
Steroids or trigger point injections (TPI) are injected into the area causing muscle pain to relax contracted muscles. This treatment can be tried in the early stage.
[Physical Therapy]
Uses heat, air, light, electricity, ultrasound and other methods to promote tissue healing and improve movement, supporting functional recovery and rehabilitation of the painful area.
If the pain is severe and the finger clicks every time it moves, surgery is performed.
[Trigger Finger Release]
Through a minimal incision of about 1 cm, the tunnel where the tendon catches is widened and the inflammation is removed. Relief of finger catching and pain can be felt right after surgery.
