Finally - Effective Relief for Trigger Finger

Stenosing Tenosynovitis, better known as Trigger Finger, is a disorder that has gained greater attention in the medical industry over the last few years. 

Often categorized as a disease in the past, its relationship to overuse and direct injury has become better recognized, revealing it as just another form of so many existing repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis and golfer’s elbow. 

The symptoms of Trigger Finger can vary in severity, but the telltale sign of the finger “catching” or “locking” is a symptom that no one can miss.  As the finger is flexed downward towards the palm of the hand, the finger can snap down, locking into the palm of the hand.  As the finger is extended, often times with the assistance of the opposing hand to straighten the finger, it will snap back into the extended position.  For some, the finger may be more painful as it snaps down into the palm and for others it is just the opposite, with more pain as it snaps back into the extended position.  Also, there are those that experience smoother movement as the finger is flexed, but then it locks into the palm, and then as it is extended, jerks backwards into a straightened position.

The “catching” and “locking” of the affected finger is the result of the nodule or adhesion that has formed on the flexor tendon to become stuck within the pulley system (Tendon sheath) as the finger is flexed / extended. Although Trigger finger can present itself from acute trauma such as falling onto an outstretched hand, causing microtears in the tendon and the formation of scar tissue on the affected tendon, it most often caused by repeated overuse. Repetitive motions plus frequency, duration and force have the same effect as the acute injury, but it occurs over a longer period of time.  The result of small micro-tears creating scar tissue with repeated use resulting in friction within the tendon sheath, causing additional swelling and the continuous cycle of irritation, swelling and nodule growth.  

Although direct trauma and overuse can cause Trigger Finger, there are also other conditions that inflict this disorder.   Swelling caused by arthritis can irritate the tendon and its sheath; the infection of a finger caused by a laceration can cause irritation and scarring of not only the tendon by also the tendon sheath. 

Trigger Finger may be painless and annoying for some individuals, but for most, it is very painful and debilitating, reducing the ability of those affected to participate in simple, everyday tasks. Although many sufferers deal with Trigger Finger for years before therapy is implemented, it is very important that this condition is addressed at its onset in order to achieve a more successful outcome, no matter what the treatment is.  Although surgery is one of the most common treatments, it is important to understand the full range of therapies that are available.

Often times, doctors recommend rest and over-the-counter medications for treating Trigger Finger, especially if symptoms are very mild or if they are just emerging.  If symptoms are more progressed, they may recommend a splint or a cortisone injection. If cortisone is utilized, the individual needs to be very cautious, as the injection may be very, very painful.  They also need to be aware that cortisone not only reduces pain and overall symptoms, it can cause severe degeneration of the tendon, resulting in far worse problems than what Trigger Finger alone presented. Although physicians will attempt to have the person return for more injections, it is best to avoid repeated use of cortisone.  Surgery is another option often chosen, but with little relief as the cutting of the tendon sheath often increases scarring in the area and more severe Trigger Finger symptoms down the road.  The best rehabilitative solution for this condition is to implement conservative therapy while the cortisone is doing its job.  This allows for the individual to perform corrective stretches and exercises while the finger can move through a normal range of motion without pain.

The conservative approach to treating Trigger Finger relies on stretches and exercises that target the muscles and tendons in the affected area.  The active stretches and exercises performed by rehabilitation devices like Flextend, Restore and other treatment devices can help eliminate the nodule or adhesion by breaking down the scar tissue and “thinning” the tendon, allowing it to move freely through the pulley system / tendon sheath without the “catching” and associated pain.