Trigger Finger

Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is a condition that makes straightening a particular finger difficult and often painful. The condition involves the tendon of the respective finger to become thickened which makes it difficult for the tendon to pass through a sheath. A tendon sheath is a small cylindrical structure that the tendon passes through which holds it close to the bone. In a person without trigger finger, the tendon passes smoothly through the sheath, however, if the tendon is thickened or grows a nodule it will be clunky and painful for the tendon to squeeze through the tunnel.

Physiotherapy treatment for trigger finger involves using modalities such as heat, NSAIDs and massage to reduce inflammation and irritation of the tendon sheath. Splinting can also be an effective treatment for trigger finger by blocking the finger from moving into painful positions for a period of time which can allow the tendon sheath and nodule time to settle and irritation to dissipate.

In the case that your painful finger does not respond to physiotherapy, we are able to directly refer you for an ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection which can be very effective in reducing pain and inflammation of the problematic tendon. In severe cases where all measures have been taken and the finger remains painful, tendon release surgery is a possibility.

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