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Trigger Finger

A condition that affects the movement of our fingers or thumb is called trigger finger. It usually occurs when our tendons become irritated or inflamed. The tendons are what provide movement to our fingers, and as a result, the finger gets stuck in our bent position and when it is straight, it can suddenly act as if we are pulling or bending something.

Types or Conditions:

Mild:
Our fingers may snap or click in this situation, but we can still move them with great stiffness.

Moderate:
Snapping and locking occur frequently in this condition of the trigger finger. In this condition, we cannot move the finger and it becomes very difficult to move it.

Severe:
Trigger finger is a severe condition in which our finger remains bent downward for a long time and we may usually need our other hand to straighten it.

Chronic:
This is a condition where our finger bends downward and is permanently locked there. In this condition, the pain is less but the movement of the finger is restricted. If not treated, then we will have to endure permanent stiffness and loss of function.

Symptoms:

• Stiffness: Our fingers feel stiff especially when we wake up.
• Snapping or Clicking: One of the symptoms of the trigger finger is that we feel a tingling sensation when we move our fingers.
• Tenderness: One of the symptoms of a trigger finger is that the bottom of the affected finger may feel tender or have a small bump.
• Locking: The symptoms of the trigger finger include the fact that our finger bends down and gets stuck there, and then we feel a lot of pain when we straighten it.

Causes:

Repetitive Hand Movement: One of the causes of the trigger finger is when we have a job that requires us to hold or press our hand repeatedly.
Health Conditions: People with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis may be more likely to develop this condition.
Age & Gender: This condition usually occurs in women or people over 40 years of age.

This is a condition that makes it difficult for us to use our hands, but we can manage it by taking some appropriate steps and taking good care of it.

These steps include diagnosing a trigger finger:

Patient History:

In such a case, we will first ask the patient to describe his symptoms, in which he will tell us when he started to feel the stiffness or numbness in it, and then we will ask him whether the finger is often locked. At that time, you feel pain especially when you try to straighten it.

Then we will ask about his daily activities, especially those that involve repetitive hand movements, or we will ask whether he is suffering from a disease such as arthritis or diabetes because they can also point to this.

Physical Examination:

The hand of a patient with such a condition will be carefully observed to check for signs of tenderness or swelling, especially what is around the affected finger.

Then the patient will be asked to close and open his hand and then they will see what his finger movements are like or they will look at the signs that will monitor the catching, snatching, or locking. In addition, an important part of this will be that the patient will be seen if he has difficulty closing or opening the fingers of the hand or if he has difficulty bending.

Clinical Assessment:

• Tenderness Check: It is commonly used to identify tendon irritation. During this, the patient's finger will be pressed to check for tenderness, which is a sign of tendon inflammation.
• Range of Motion Test: During this test, you will be asked to close a fist and then slowly open it. During this time, you will observe whether any fingers are locked while opening the fist. If they are locked, it indicates this condition.
• Feeling for Nodules: You may feel a small bump on the affected finger. This happens when the tendon thickens, making it difficult to move the finger.

Imagine Test:

Ultrasound:
With the help of ultrasound, we can easily see the movement of the tendon. It also shows its inflammation or thickening, and due to which our finger is stimulated, it helps us greatly in seeing the irritation of the tendon. We usually do not need this test, but we use it when the diagnosis is not clear.

X-ray:
X-rays cannot examine our soft tissues, but they can help us identify arthritis or bone problems, which helps us confirm that the patient is not suffering from any other disease.

MRI:
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. We use it when there is a suspicious condition that is pointing us toward surgery. At that time, we use it, which provides a detailed picture of our tendons and soft tissues.

Special Test:

Flick Test:
This test is usually used because it helps diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, but it can also help diagnose tendon problems. In this case, we will ask the patient to flick their wrist and fingers and let their hands drain. If they feel numbness, tingling, or any kind of pain during this time, then it indicates carpal tunnel syndrome, although the trigger finger is not specific. But it checks the pressure on the nerve that affects movement.

Nottas's Test:
This test is used to evaluate the rigger finger, specifically by assessing the presence of a nodule. The procedure is as follows: the affected finger will be pressed on the palm side above the base to feel the nodule and then the patient will be asked to bend and extend the finger. If a tingling sensation is felt or the finger locks or catches, this is the trigger finger diagnosis.

Trigger Test:
This is also a special test in which the patient will make a fist and then be asked to open his finger or thumb. He will try to open it and we will observe it. If the finger is stuck somewhere, we can straighten it. At the same time, if the finger gets stuck in a bent position and then straightens, it indicates this condition. This test is also done to clarify tendon irritation.

Tinel's Test:
This is also a special test for this condition. In its procedure, we lightly tap the patient's wrist where the nerve passes. If the patient feels a tingling sensation that radiates down to the fingers, this indicates nerve irritation or compression.

Phalen's Test:
This test is usually done to assess the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, but it is also very good for assessing the function of our hands. During this time, the patient keeps their wrists bent or flexed for 60 seconds. During this time, if they feel pain or stiffness, or if they experience any finger lock, we point them to this trigger figure.

Finger Extensor Strengthening: