Our fingers and thumb are moved by long tendons, like ropes. In order to stop the tendons from ‘bowstringing’ in the hand as we bend them, we have sheets of soft tissue called pulleys, which lie on top of the tendons at specific points in the hand, to help stop ‘bowstringing’ and allow our fingers to bend effectively.
When the tendons become inflamed over a long period a nodule may form on the tendon. As a result the normal smooth motion of the tendon ceases and the nodule can lead to the tendon getting caught or stuck under the pulley, classically with the finger bent.
Tendons become inflamed as a result of overuse and general wear and tear.
What are the symptoms of trigger finger?
Symptoms include pain over the front of the hand associated with clicking or popping of the finger when bending the finger. As the condition develops the finger may frequently become ‘locked’ in a bent position and require massage and manipulation to straighten it. This can be very painful.
How do you diagnose trigger finger?
This is usually achieved from a clinical history and examination, but may require an ultrasound scan to confirm the diagnosis.
Hugely grateful to Mr Edwards for taking care of me. Appreciate candid and honest approach. Thank you.
AW 2023
How do you treat trigger finger?
In the first instance an ultrasound guided injection of steroid and anaesthetic around the inflamed tendon may be recommended. This combined with hand therapy can be effective in the initial management.
In cases where non-operative treatment fails or the condition recurs, a trigger finger release may be recommended. In this operation the pulley where the nodule on the tendon is catching is released. This is done via a small cut over the palm of the hand and takes around 10 minutes to perform. It is done under a local anaesthetic as a day case procedure.