Trigger Finger

[Idnar7]

Anyone else get these? When you sleep your hand naturally semi-closes. When you wake they normally straighten out. With trigger finger one or more stay closed and you have to manually straighten them. Straightening them is painful. I currently have two, ring finger and adjoining baby finger. Only happens when sleeping. Have had them before and they just mysteriously go away. It is in the joint nearest you hand. For now I am just taping the two fingers together at that joint. This works ok but it is a pain to remember every night. I know you can have surgery to correct, but I prefer taping until it goes away on its own.

[Teacher Terry]

I had it for awhile when I was using the computer mouse too much. It went away.

[MRG]

This sound familiar?

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...s/syc-20365100

Trigger finger is a condition in which one of your fingers gets stuck in a bent position. Your finger may bend or straighten with a snap — like a trigger being pulled and released.
Trigger finger is also known as stenosing tenosynovitis (stuh-NO-sing ten-o-sin-o-VIE-tis). It occurs when inflammation narrows the space within the sheath that surrounds the tendon in the affected finger. If trigger finger is severe, your finger may become locked in a bent position.

[bjorn2bwild]

Also, see Dupuytren's (du-pwe-TRANZ) contracture.
I have this, but as yet, it is not causing any real problems.

Quote:

Dupuytren's contracture mainly affects the two fingers farthest from the thumb, and occurs most often in older men of Northern European descent. A number of treatments are available to slow the progression of Dupuytren's contracture and relieve symptoms.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...s/syc-20371943

[marko]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjorn2bwild Also, see Dupuytren's (du-pwe-TRANZ) contracture. I have this, but as yet, it is not causing any real problems. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...s/syc-20371943

My uncle had this on both hands. He eventually had both ring and little fingers on each hand removed as they were getting in the way of things; he couldn't even hold a steering wheel.

He was also a bit vain, so instead of cutting at the knuckle, he had the surgeons cut way back at the wrist so as to not have a stump. He claims it was from years of playing handball.

I used to joke that he could only count to six!

[bjorn2bwild]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marko My uncle had this on both hands. He eventually had both ring and little fingers on each hand removed as they were getting in the way of things; he couldn't even hold a steering wheel. He was also a bit vain, so instead of cutting at the knuckle, he had the surgeons cut way back at the wrist so as to not have a stump. He claims it was from years of playing handball. I used to joke that he could only count to six!

Well that is certainly something to look forward to. Looks like I picked the wrong heritage, should have gone Yakuza.

[imoldernu]

Pretty common. I try to sleep with hand flat under the pillow.

[marko]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjorn2bwild Well that is certainly something to look forward to. Looks like I picked the wrong heritage, should have gone Yakuza.

His was an extreme case. He started having problems when he was in his 20's. I suspect there's newer therapies nowadays.

[Lewis Clark]

My wife had trigger finger release surgery a few years ago. It fixed her problem.

[braumeister]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lewis Clark My wife had trigger finger release surgery a few years ago. It fixed her problem.

I had a real problem with this about seven years ago. Had the release procedure (a quick 15 minute surgery) from a hand surgeon and it never bothered me again. They make a small slit in the sheath a tendon slides through (in the center of your palm). Not a big deal at all.

[Z3Dreamer]

I had the surgery last October. Did not help. Last time I followed up, they said to give it more time.

[Marc]

Over last ten years I have received three injections in right hand and two in the left for trigger finger; usually works for a couple of years. Last year I had an injection in right wrist which may have to be repeated this year. Trigger finger is more of an annoyance than a pain; but the shots are definitely worth it.

Marc

[Ian S]

I've had trigger finger in the middle finger of both hands. The right middle finger has responded well to shots with the last shot being around nine months ago. The left middle finger did not respond so well and I had the release surgery several years ago. The surgery fixed it and it's supposed to be permanent. So far so good.

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRG This sound familiar? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...s/syc-20365100 Trigger finger is a condition in which one of your fingers gets stuck in a bent position. Your finger may bend or straighten with a snap — like a trigger being pulled and released. Trigger finger is also known as stenosing tenosynovitis (stuh-NO-sing ten-o-sin-o-VIE-tis). It occurs when inflammation narrows the space within the sheath that surrounds the tendon in the affected finger. If trigger finger is severe, your finger may become locked in a bent position.

Are there ways to simply reduce the inflammation?

[Marc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 Are there ways to simply reduce the inflammation?

That is what the steroid shots into the hand are for; quick and easy.

Marc

[davismills]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjorn2bwild Also, see Dupuytren's (du-pwe-TRANZ) contracture. I have this, but as yet, it is not causing any real problems. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...s/syc-20371943

I have this problem on the little finger of my right hand. I had release surgery 10 years ago, but the contracture returned within 1 year. The surgeon severed a few nerves so I will not go that route again.

My brother has the exact same problem, except it's on the little finger of his left hand.

[Idnar7]

Thanks for all the great replies. Wasn't aware this is so common.

[tmm99]

Gees, one more thing to look forward to in my old age...