Trigger finger is a nuisance injury, sometimes caused by repetitive actions, that can affect one or more fingers in a hand. If left untreated, it can cause affected fingers to curl permanently, making some tasks difficult. Patients with a more severe form of the disorder need minor surgery to correct it.
At Next Level Physical Therapy in Santa Clarita, California, our staff understands the importance of treating trigger finger injuries effectively and efficiently. Contact us at (661) 383-9828 to schedule an evaluation with one of our physical therapists. We’ll work with you to evaluate your post-surgical condition and determine the best treatments to get your finger back to full working condition.
Trigger finger is a condition resulting from a thickening of the tendons that helps the fingers to move, forming a thickening or nodule. The pulley ligament may thicken as well, causing the area to swell. Several factors can cause trigger finger, including rheumatoid arthritis, partial tendon laceration, repeatedly gripping tools or grasping a steering wheel. Infection or damage to the synovium, the area’s soft tissue lining, can cause nodules to form.
Trigger finger can occur in any finger, including the thumb, and can affect multiple fingers. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
The following are common trigger finger symptoms:
A finger that is inflamed or hot to the touch may mean that an infection is present, so it’s essential to see a doctor for diagnosis and to rule out other conditions.
Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may want to try several non-surgical therapies to relieve the condition, such as:
Trigger finger surgery, also called tenolysis, is a reasonably simple procedure usually done on an outpatient basis. The procedure, performed under local anesthetic, takes about 20 minutes. An orthopedic surgeon will make a small incision in the palm to cut the tendon sheath, releasing the tendon to improve function. Patients have stitches and incur some pain after the surgery.
Recovery is straightforward. As soon as surgery is over, patients can move their fingers gently. After several days, you can remove the dressing and keep the site clean. Some patients experience mild swelling, pain, or stiffness for up to six months post-surgery.
Post-surgery physical therapy is beneficial for increasing the mobility in your fingers and thumb, especially if they have remained locked for some time. Various techniques can help encourage the tendon’s normal gliding motion and speed your recovery. Your therapy plan may include gentle range-of-motion exercises, fine motor control and dexterity improvement, sort-tissue massage, hands-on stretching, and exercises to strengthen and stabilize the hand’s muscles and joints.
Don’t let trigger finger stop you from doing the activities you love. The therapists at Next Level Physical Therapy will devise a personalized treatment plan that will improve your range of motion, reduce pain and speed your recovery. We understand that every patient has different needs. Contact us today at (661) 383-9828 to schedule your appointment and start your journey back to total physical health.
