Trigger Finger / Trigger Thumb

The exact cause of the trigger finger/ trigger thumb is not known. Still, it can occur in patients having diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, and patients with repetitive use of the fingers and thumb with movement involving gripping, grasping forcefully.

Tendons are structures that are responsible for the movement of the fingers and thumb. Tendons are covered by a sheath, which helps in the smooth gliding of the tendon. In cases where the tendon gets inflamed and swollen, gliding is not possible and results in a trigger thumb/ trigger finger. 

The symptoms for trigger finger/ trigger thumb include:

• Locking 
• Clicking/ popping/ snapping
• Catching
• Very difficult to straighten the finger/ thumb
• Nodule can be present at the area where thumb/ fingers meet hand
• Pain and stiffness of finger/ thumb

Trigger finger/ trigger thumb affect daily activities like:

• Buttoning of shirt
• Putting Key into lock
• Writing
• Typing or using a computer mouse 
• Driving 
• Combing of hairs 
• Holding of objects becomes difficult 

Usually, clinically it is diagnosed, but in a few cases, MRI and ultrasound are required.

In most cases trigger finger/ trigger thumb is treated non-surgically by following ways:

• Rest, take a break in between long working time
• Use of Splints
• Physiotherapy 
• Pain killers

No, the trigger finger/ trigger thumb doesn’t heal independently.

Steroid injections are given in the sheath to reduce swelling and inflammation of the tendon. In cases with nodules and problems not treated after non-surgical treatment, injections are advised. Consult your surgeon for injections in the sheath if the trigger finger/ trigger thumb is causing problems. Injections can be repeated 2 times in sheath.

The surgery for trigger finger/ trigger thumb is done in following cases:

• Even after giving injections 2 times, the condition has not improved
• After taking non-surgical treatment, no improvement has occurred 

Release of the A1 pulley is the surgery done in cases of trigger finger/ trigger thumb. It makes space for the tendon to glide smoothly inside the sheath.

Surgery has a high chance of success, from 85%- 98% depending on the disease's severity and duration.

The complications of trigger thumb/ trigger finger include:

• Stiffness of finger/ thumb
• Continued locking/ snapping even after surgery
• In very few cases, damage to nerve and vessels
• Hematoma 

Usually, within a few weeks, it takes 2-6 weeks to join daily activities, depending on the surgery performed.

It depends on the hospital category chosen by the patients. At Simpainortho.com, we have tried to reduce the cost of surgery and hospital expenses and included complete after-surgery services that patients require after surgery because we know treatment doesn’t end at the patient's discharge. To ensure the quick recovery of patients in simpainortho.com we believe that a patient requires expert care within the most comfortable surroundings until he/she can join routine activities. So, we have made different packages for different patients according to need, and that too at the most affordable prices.

Yes, most insurances have included the trigger finger/ trigger thumb.