Diagnosis:
Also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, trigger finger is a painful form of tendinitis in which the affected individual’s fingers and/or thumb lock in a bent position. This condition affects the mobility of the affected finger by causing it to snap into place upon extension instead of gliding smoothly. The direct cause of this rigid movement and associated pain is the inflammation of the flexor tendon or thickening of the protective sheath through which it passes, disabling it from moving smoothly when flexing or extending the affected finger(s).
There are multiple factors, often involving overuse, thought to contribute to trigger finger, although the exact reason for its occurrence is often idiopathic (unknown). Rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions are known to provoke trigger finger as well. Trigger finger is much more prevalent in women than men, occurring most frequently in individuals aged 55 to 60 years. Fortunately, there are multiple effective treatment options available for trigger finger, all of which are provided by Genesis Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
Treatment Options:
Cortisone
In cases of trigger finger where symptoms are persistent, cortisone is often used to provide long-term inflammation relief. Depending on the severity of the condition, one or more injections may be used.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS), which can be found over-the-counter, in combination with rest, can often effectively eliminate the inflammation related to trigger finger.
Surgery
If trigger finger is secondary to another condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or persists after other treatment options are exhausted, surgical intervention may be necessary. Trigger finger release is a procedure is performed by Genesis Orthopedics & Sports Medicine on an outpatient basis and is minimally-invasive, with the objective of widening the tendon sheath tunnel to allow for the smooth passage of the flexor tendon.
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