Steemit Learning Challenge-S22W3: Physical Therapy Intervention: Trigger Finger

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Trigger Finger

Trigger finger or tenosynovitis is the condition in which pain and swelling occur in the fingers because it affects tendons and surrounding sheaths in the fingers. As shown through the name, in this condition, tendons get damaged and inflamed.

Causes

The common causes of trigger finger are below:

• Overuse or repetitive use of the fingers
• Sudden trauma or injury to the fingers
• Can also occur in some diseases like gout, arthritis, and diabetes mellitus.
• Can also occur in people with poor ergonomics or posture.

Symptoms

The common symptoms shown in trigger finger patients are:

• Pain and tenderness on the affected finger, especially when performing movements like extension or flexion.
• Sometimes swelling or redness if the tendon gets inflamed.
• Feeling of clicking or locking sensation in the fingers.
• Reduction in range of motion due to stiffness in the metacarpophalangeal joint or finger joint.

Stages of Trigger Finger

Pre-triggering Stage

• In this stage there is no clicking sensations but there are pain and stiffness in the finger present.
  Triggering Stage
• The patient will feel clicking or snapping sensation while performing range of motion on fingers like flexion, extension, abduction, adduction.
  Locking Stage
• This the last and severe stage in which finger bent and stuck in that position. It can extend passively but still move back to bend position after straightening.

Diagnosis

Trigger Finger diagnosis can be made by different methods, but commonly used are:

• History taking about family, occupation, past medical, and surgical history.
• A thorough physical examination by a physician or physical therapist.
• X-ray, Ultrasound and MRI to assess, arthritis, and any tendon ruptures, respectively.
• We will also perform NCS as sometime nerve is also involve in such condition.

Special Tests

In physiotherapy, we perform some special tests to confirm the diagnosis.

1. Flick Test
2. Notta's Test
3. Trigger Test
4. Tinel's Test ( modified)
5. Phalen's Test ( modified)

Physical Therapy Intervention for Trigger Finger

Physical therapy interventions for trigger finger for days to weeks to regain normal range of motion or performing activities of daily living, and subside the symptoms. Here are a few exercise videos that you have to perform to treat trigger finger patients. Treatment protocols vary from patient to patient.

But the main thing is you have to evaluate the exact cause of trigger finger and it's stage as well because treatment protocol vary from stage to stage, whether it's due to overuse or trauma. We can treat this condition completely with physical therapy, but sometimes surgical intervention is required if further damage occurs to tendons.