Trigger finger usually doesn’t have anything to do with shooting guns, unless you have a job that requires you to shoot all day. It’s the result of repeated motions that irritate the tender tendons in your fingers. Trigger finger usually occurs in the ring finger or thumb and can be very painful, especially on first awakening in the morning. While the discomfort may be serious, you can get effective treatment when you rely on the pain control experts at Pain Management NYC. They have extensive experience dealing with the crippling hand condition. You’ll find caring pain doctors who use advanced diagnostics to pinpoint the exact cause of your pain, and emergency appointments are available if you need them. Call for an appointment today.
If you have stiffness, pain or a feeling of catching or locking when you bend or straighten your finger, you may have a condition known as trigger finger. Some people experience a finger getting locked in a bent position or a trigger-like snap when it suddenly releases. It may be worse in the morning when you wake up with your fingers stuck in the palm of your hand.
The technical name for the trigger finger is stenosing tenosynovitis. It’s a painful condition that can affect any of your fingers in one or both hands. The most commonly affected fingers are the thumb and the ring finger. If you’re experiencing pain or difficulty moving any of your fingers, a top pain doctor at the pain treatment center NYC quickly evaluates your symptoms and offers interventional treatment to restore your mobility and keep you pain-free.
Symptoms of Trigger Finger
Trigger finger often starts with a mild discomfort in your finger, as well as tenderness at the base of the finger that’s affected. A lump may appear at the base of the finger, causing inflammation and swelling in the part of the tendon that moves the finger. Everyone has different levels of discomfort and various symptoms, such as:
- Popping or clicking when you move your finger, which like the name of the condition, sounds like a popgun going off
- Stiffness in the finger, especially in the morning
- Pain when bending or straightening the finger
- The finger locking in a bent position that you’re unable to straighten
The affected finger may be locked toward your palm first thing in the morning, but then it gradually loosens during the day. You may be able to release a locked finger by rubbing it at its base. But if you’re suffering from this condition and it’s limiting your activities, don’t wait to get treatment at your NYC injury clinic. You may inadvertently exacerbate the condition or cause additional, unnecessary pain.
Causes of Trigger Finger
When the affected finger’s tendon sheath becomes inflamed or irritated, it gets in the way of the gliding motion that normally happens as the tendon moves through the sheath. The tendon sheath is the protective shield over the tendon, the tough cord that attaches muscle to bone.
The tendon sheath may become more and more inflamed from repetitive movements. Some repetitive actions that may cause inflammation in your fingers and hands include playing a musical instrument or repeatedly gripping objects. Over time, trigger finger develops from overuse.
Risk Factors for Developing Trigger Finger
For unknown reasons, trigger finger is more common in women than men. If you’ve recently had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, you may be at an increased risk of developing trigger finger. Previous hand and wrist injuries may make you more likely to get trigger finger as well.
Certain medical conditions increase the risk of having this condition. Some examples include gout, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. The aging process may also be a risk factor in the development of trigger finger, as soft tissues degenerate and don’t heal as quickly after an injury.
Treatment for Trigger Finger
Trigger finger treatment starts with conservative, non-invasive treatments, such as ice, rest and gentle stretching exercises to improve range of motion and decrease stiffness. Avoid doing any activities that worsen the symptoms you’re experiencing. Other forms of treatment for trigger finger include:
- Wearing a splint. Your pain management New York doctor may recommend wearing a splint while you sleep to keep your thumb or finger straight. This prevents them from becoming locked.
- Percutaneous release. In this procedure, a needle is inserted into the area around the affected tendon. With the help of ultrasound, the doctor uses the needle to break apart the constriction that’s stopping the tendon from moving smoothly.
- Steroid injections. Corticosteroids can be injected into the base of a trigger finger, which may reduce swelling and resolve symptoms over the course of a few days or sometimes a few weeks. A second injection may be necessary if your symptoms aren’t improving. If you have diabetes, steroid injections may not be effective.
When the discomfort and locking of a trigger finger makes it difficult to do everyday tasks, it’s time to be examined by the best pain management specialists in Midtown. Contact the experts at Pain Management NYC to find out the best trigger finger treatment for you.
Leon Reyfman, MD, is a top-rated, best-in-class interventional pain management doctor. He is a nationally recognized pain relief specialist and is among the top pain care doctors in New York City and the country. He is an award-winning expert and contributor to prominent media outlets.
Dr. Leon Reyfman has been recognized for his thoughtful, thorough, modern approach to treating chronic pain. He has been named a “top pain management doctor in New York” and one of “America’s Top Doctors™” for advanced sports injury treatments. Among other accolades, he was voted by peers as a “Castle Connolly Top Doctors™” and “New York Super Doctors™”. Dr. Leon Reyfman was a part of the medical team at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.