[novorapid]

do any of you suffer from trigger finger, i have it on both hands my left hand it is my ring finger and my right it is my middle finger, can anyone advise on any treatment or remedies will see doctor after the holidays, but now my ring finger left hand causing me a lot of pain even radiates into my left arm. merry christmas to one and all..

[notme]

I had trigger "thumb" and it really was awful. The first time I noticed it, I was woke up in the middle of the night and thought I dislocated my thumb. It is very painful and kind of scary feeling. I had surgery. I wish I had better news. The good news is it took just a few minutes for them to fix it and no pain after at all. It was a local sedation.

[lisa821]

Hi novorapid! I've had it, too, in both middle fingers and in my thumbs. It eventually went away after a long while. Some people have gotten relief from steroid shots, but not me; besides, the steroids really jacked up my blood sugars. Stretching the finger joints might help some. Also, alternating heat and cold packs to get the blood flow moving in the joints might help. There were many a time when I'd accidently bend one of my trigger fingers the wrong way on the car steering wheel, and m*ther*****! if that didn't hurt!

You can try typing "trigger finger" into the Search box on the right of your screen--lots of folks have had this and can offer good advice, so read on! Good luck and don't despair.

~Lisa

[Schlep]

Originally Posted by novorapid

do any of you suffer from trigger finger, i have it on both hands my left hand it is my ring finger and my right it is my middle finger, can anyone advise on any treatment or remedies will see doctor after the holidays, but now my ring finger left hand causing me a lot of pain even radiates into my left arm. merry christmas to one and all..

Treatment of mild cases
For mild or infrequent symptoms, these approaches may be effective:

* Rest. You may notice improvement simply by resting the affected hand for four to six weeks. To prevent the overuse of your affected finger, your doctor may also suggest you change or curtail work or personal activities that require repeated gripping actions.
* Splinting. Your doctor may have you wear a splint to keep the affected finger in an extended position for up to six weeks. The splint helps to rest the joint. Splinting also helps prevent you from curling your fingers into a fist while sleeping, which can make it painful to move your fingers in the morning.
* Finger exercises. Your doctor may also suggest that you perform gentle exercises with the affected finger. This can help you to maintain mobility in your finger.
* Avoiding repetitive gripping. For at least three to four weeks, avoid activities that require repetitive gripping, repeated grasping or the prolonged use of vibrating machinery.
* Soaking in warm water. Placing your affected hand in warm water, especially in the morning, may reduce the severity of the catching sensation during the day. If this helps, you can repeat the soaking several times throughout the day.
* Massage. Massaging your affected fingers may feel good and help relieve your pain, but it won't affect the inflammation.

Treatment of more serious cases
For more serious symptoms, your doctor may recommend other approaches, including:

* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), for example — may relieve the inflammation and swelling that led to the constriction of the tendon sheath and trapping of the tendon, and can relieve the pain associated with trigger finger.
* Steroids. An injection of a steroid medication, such as cortisone, near or into the tendon sheath also can be used to reduce inflammation of the sheath. This treatment is most effective if given soon after signs and symptoms begin. Injections can be repeated if necessary, though repeated injections may not be as effective as the initial injection. Steroid injections may not be as effective in people with other medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes.
* Percutaneous trigger finger release. In this procedure, which is performed under local anesthesia, doctors use a needle to release the locked finger. This procedure is most effective for the index, middle and ring fingers.
* Surgery. Though less common than other treatments, surgical release of the tendon may be necessary for troublesome locking that doesn't respond to other treatments.

[beau91]

Hi Novorapid ,I had trigger finger in my right ring finger.My GP sent me to see a specialist ,My finger really hurt. The spec told me he had 2 solutions :1 injection of cortisone 2 surgery
.when I told him I was a diabetic 'He suggested to have the surgery ,One :cortisone injection not good for your diabeties and two he told me as a diabetic it would surely reoccured,So I had the surgery ,15 minutes job ,Local anestisia and after a week or so depanding on your healing facilities .The trouble is gone.Had the surgery in July since nothing .Bye Ricky

[Mich]

I've had it in several of my fingers over the years. I've never gone the surgery route or the injection one. I used Ibuprofen 600 mg every six hours. I kept the finger still to give it a rest. Especially, I didn't let it pop because it hurt like heck. Even a splint would help. I always seemed to pop mine when I was driving.

Heat seemed to make it better in my case. Hot water soak. Warm wash cloth, changed when it cools off. I did it at night when I finally sat down. Eventually I woke up one morning and it was all better, but a little stiff. I was easy with it until I was sure it was functional.

For me, it takes 4+ days, even a week of Ibuprofen and heat to make things better. If you try it and things don't get better in that time or you see no improvement at all, go to your doctor. He may want you to see a hand specialist.

I wouldn't have made it through doing exercises. It hurt too badly when it "popped" and I'm a wimp.

Good luck. Remember, this is from a "fix it yourself" type of person, others may think a different approach would be better.
This is all just my own experience.

Mich

[Carwy]

Read this thread. The end talks about what Dewey is going through now with hers. She needs surgery because nothing else is working.

Annoyed with finger....

[NoraWI]

And no one has mentioned the single most important thing to do... keep your numbers as close to normal, non-diabetic levels (70 to 110) as you can! This is a diabetic issue as high glucose causes inflammation and affects the connective tissues in the hands. I have had trigger finger in both middle fingers of both hands as well as frozen thumbs, which eventually "unfroze" on their own. Keeping bG levels down as well as using the hands keeps trigger and frozen finger under control. Hard to do but just think what it also does for the rest of the body! Cutting down the carbohydrates also works wonders!

[sherry]

My daughter, a type 1, was able to treat her trigger fingers and trigger thumbs successfully with physical therapy, splints, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and HCL supplements. She also had to avoid carbonated beverages. It took months--not weeks to heal, but she was able to avoid surgery even though her physical therapist said my daughter had some of the worst triggers she had seen.

[Jan B]

I've had this for quite a while. I call it the rotating trigger fingers! There is nothing funny about it -- the pain can be great.

Just TODAY, my doctor had the pharmacist make me a specially compounded cream that I will be using on my hands (and shoulder(s)) as needed. It should eventually alleviate my need for 1000 mg Naproxen every day. It has several ingredients in it & I'm still learning more about it. I'll let you all know if it helps much. My right index finger is hurting pretty good right now -- usually typing helps keep my fingers limber.

I wonder how Dewey is doing with hers . . .

[Carwy]

Originally Posted by NoraWI

And no one has mentioned the single most important thing to do... keep your numbers as close to normal, non-diabetic levels (70 to 110) as you can! This is a diabetic issue as high glucose causes inflammation and affects the connective tissues in the hands. I have had trigger finger in both middle fingers of both hands as well as frozen thumbs, which eventually "unfroze" on their own. Keeping bG levels down as well as using the hands keeps trigger and frozen finger under control. Hard to do but just think what it also does for the rest of the body! Cutting down the carbohydrates also works wonders!

Trigger finger is not a diabetic issue. Yes they may get it, however non-diabetics get it also. I know this because I have it in my thumbs and I'm not diabetic. I do not hold menus or pieces of paper for more then 1 or 2 seconds because they will lock and then they have to be pried open and it hurts. I told my Dr. about it and he wants to wait until all my other issues to resolve first before treating them.
As a mater of fact I had an A1C done about 6 months ago and it was low 3.something.

Trigger finger - MayoClinic.com
Introduction

Trigger finger is a condition in which one of your fingers or your thumb catches in a bent position. Your finger or thumb may straighten with a snap — like a trigger being pulled and released. If trigger finger is severe, your finger may become locked in a bent position.

Often painful, trigger finger is caused by a narrowing of the sheath that surrounds the tendon in the affected finger. People whose work or hobbies require repetitive gripping actions are more susceptible. Trigger finger is also more common in women than in men, and in anyone with diabetes.

Treatment of trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, varies depending on the severity.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of trigger finger may progress in the following way:

* At first, your affected finger may seem stiff and may click when you move it. You may notice a bump (nodule) or tenderness at the base of the affected finger in your palm. This is the spot where the tendon is likely catching.
* As trigger finger worsens, your finger may catch at times in a bent position and then suddenly pop straight.
* Eventually, the finger may not fully straighten.

Trigger finger more commonly occurs in your dominant hand, and most often affects your thumb or your middle or ring finger. More than one finger may be affected at a time, and both hands might be involved. Triggering is usually more pronounced in the morning, while firmly grasping an object or when straightening your finger.

Different from Dupuytren's contracture
Trigger finger is not the same as Dupuytren's contracture — a condition that causes thickening and shortening of the connective tissue in the palm of the hand — though it may occur in conjunction with this disorder.

Causes

The cause of trigger finger is a narrowing of the sheath that surrounds the tendon in the affected finger. Tendons are fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. Each tendon is surrounded by a protective sheath — which in turn is lined with a substance called tenosynovium. The tenosynovium releases lubricating fluid that allows the tendon to glide smoothly within its protective sheath as you bend and straighten your finger — like a cord through a lubricated pipe.

But if the tenosynovium becomes inflamed from repetitive strain injury or overuse or due to inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the space within the tendon sheath can become narrow and constricting. The tendon can't glide through the sheath easily, at times catching the finger in a bent position before popping straight. With each catch, the tendon itself becomes irritated and inflamed, worsening the problem. With prolonged inflammation, scarring and thickening (fibrosis) can occur and bumps (nodules) can form.

Risk factors

* Repetitious gripping. If you routinely grip an item — such as a power tool or musical instrument — for extended periods of time, you may be more prone to the development of a trigger finger.
* Certain health problems. You're also at greater risk if you have certain medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, amyloidosis and certain infections, such as tuberculosis.
* Your sex. Trigger finger is more common in women than in men.

When to seek medical advice

Bring any stiffness or catching in a finger joint to the attention of your doctor so that he or she may review your symptoms and perform a physical evaluation of your hand. Seek immediate medical care if a finger joint is hot and inflamed because this may indicate an infection.

Treatment

Trigger finger treatment varies depending on its severity and duration.

Treatment of mild cases
For mild or infrequent symptoms, these approaches may be effective:

* Rest. You may notice improvement simply by resting the affected hand for four to six weeks. To prevent the overuse of your affected finger, your doctor may also suggest you change or curtail work or personal activities that require repeated gripping actions.
* Splinting. Your doctor may have you wear a splint to keep the affected finger in an extended position for up to six weeks. The splint helps to rest the joint. Splinting also helps prevent you from curling your fingers into a fist while sleeping, which can make it painful to move your fingers in the morning.
* Finger exercises. Your doctor may also suggest that you perform gentle exercises with the affected finger. This can help you to maintain mobility in your finger.
* Avoiding repetitive gripping. For at least three to four weeks, avoid activities that require repetitive gripping, repeated grasping or the prolonged use of vibrating machinery.
* Soaking in warm water. Placing your affected hand in warm water, especially in the morning, may reduce the severity of the catching sensation during the day. If this helps, you can repeat the soaking several times throughout the day.
* Massage. Massaging your affected fingers may feel good and help relieve your pain, but it won't affect the inflammation.

Treatment of more serious cases
For more serious symptoms, your doctor may recommend other approaches, including:

* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), for example — may relieve the inflammation and swelling that led to the constriction of the tendon sheath and trapping of the tendon, and can relieve the pain associated with trigger finger.
* Steroids. An injection of a steroid medication, such as cortisone, near or into the tendon sheath also can be used to reduce inflammation of the sheath. This treatment is most effective if given soon after signs and symptoms begin. Injections can be repeated if necessary, though repeated injections may not be as effective as the initial injection. Steroid injections may not be as effective in people with other medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes.
* Percutaneous trigger finger release. In this procedure, which is performed under local anesthesia, doctors use a needle to release the locked finger. This procedure is most effective for the index, middle and ring fingers.
* Surgery. Though less common than other treatments, surgical release of the tendon may be necessary for troublesome locking that doesn't respond to other treatments.