Trigger Finger Symptoms

As the name rightly suggests, trigger finger is a condition that affects the fingers. This condition occurs as the affected person tries to close his fist and grip something. It is not necessary that this condition arises while gripping something. Trigger finger may also happen, while opening the fist. In normal people, the fingers close and open smoothly, but in case of those with trigger finger, such movements happen with a clicking sound and pain. In severe cases, the fingers get locked in that bent position. Trigger fingers symptoms are often experienced in the ring and index finger, but can also affect the thumb (trigger thumb). It can also happen that more than one finger gets affected at the same time.

Causes

The bones in the fingers are connected to the muscles in the forearms by tendons, which are bands of inelastic tissues (connects a muscle with its bony attachment). Fingers too have tendons, that connect the muscles in the forearms to the bones in the finger. It is with the help of these tendons that the fingers bend inwards and opens. These tendons are surrounded by tendon sheaths, which are tube-like structures, that in turn are surrounded by a substance called tenosynovium. The tenosynovium releases a lubricating fluid which facilitates the smooth movements of tendons within the tendon sheath as the fingers are closed and straightened. Trigger finger (also known as stenosing tenosynovitis) occurs when the tendon gets irritated, inflamed or scarred. This condition causes irritation of the tendon sheath and the tenosynovium too. However, a swollen tendon moves within the tendon sheath with much difficulty, causing a snapping or locked condition of the fingers. It is also contended that an inflammation of the tenosynovium causes narrowing of the tube-like tendon sheath, which affects the movement of fingers. Trigger finger is caused by various causes like repetitive use or overuse of the fingers, some inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, gout or diabetes. It has also been observed that people affected by hypothyroidism, amyloidosis and certain infections, such as tuberculosis, are also prone to this condition. Studies show that trigger finger symptoms are mostly seen in women and those in the age group of forty to sixty.

Symptoms

Now, you know that trigger finger symptoms include snapping and locking of finger, accompanied by pain. However, during the initial stages, the person may experience soreness at the base of the finger. This condition gradually leads to snapping and locking of fingers with pain. In some cases, the finger remains in the locked position for a long time and has to be straightened gently, using the other hand. The finger may not get straightened even after repeated efforts, if the condition is severe. Other common trigger finger symptoms are discomfort and tenderness in the finger, which worsen with finger movements, stiffness of finger, especially in the morning time. The affected person may also develop swelling or lumps near the finger joints.

The treatment for trigger finger symptoms is based on the duration and severity of the condition. In mild cases, where the symptoms are not frequent or severe, the treatment can be as simple as rest, massage and finger exercises. Some affected people may have to wear splint for at least six weeks, so that the finger joints gets rest and resumes normal functioning. The patient may also be advised to refrain from strenuous jobs, involving the affected finger. Severe cases of trigger finger are treated with NSAIDS, steroids or through percutaneous trigger finger release (a simple procedure, wherein the locked finger is released with a needle inserted to the area under local anesthesia). Some severe cases may need surgery, if all other treatment options fail to release the tendon or alleviate the condition.