Trigger finger is also known as stenosing tenosynovitis and is a condition where any of the patient’s fingers get stuck in a bent position. The finger can be straightened which will lead to a snapping sound. In some cases the finger can be stuck in its straight form and when bent will still result into the snap sound – like the sound produced when a trigger is pulled and released.
People with more grasping actions like holding objects at their work or hobbies tend to have a higher risk in getting trigger fingers. Women and diabetics also stand a higher chance of developing trigger finger.
Causes of Trigger Finger
Physical therapists at Enchantment Physical Therapy decree that trigger finger is caused when tendons sheaths in the finger are irritated or inflamed. The tendons are fibrous ligaments that connect bones to muscles. They act as a pulley between the muscle and bone. The tendon is enclosed in a sheath that allows it to slide up and down. An infection may cause the sheath to become irritated or inflamed thus hindering smooth movement of the tendon. This causes the finger to be stuck in one position.
Symptoms of Trigger Finger
They include:
- Finger popping or clicking when you try and fold or unfold it.
- The patient may experience stiffness in the finger especially in the morning.
- An individual may have a nodule (bump) at the base of the affected finger on the palm.
- Finger locked in one position then suddenly pops to normal or remains in that position.
Physical therapists in Gallup, NM agree that patients should immediately seek medical assistance when they feel their finger is hot or inflamed as it is a sign of infection.
Treatment
On the contrary, physical therapy at Enchantment Physical Therapy ensures that treatment begins before the condition becomes severe. A physical therapist in Gallup, NM may ask the patient to come in when trigger finger becomes severe but Enchantment Physical Therapy works with the patient through a series of exercises. The series of exercises guarantee pain relief and total rehabilitation of the affected patient.
Reference Link
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trigger-finger/symptoms-causes/syc-20365100