About this topic
Trigger finger is a problem with straightening your finger or thumb. It seems as if your finger is stuck in a bent position. It may snap when it is straightened. Your fingers are made up of many small bones. Muscles help move your fingers and the muscles are attached to the bones with strong bands of tissue called tendons. If the area around the tendon becomes swollen, the tendon is not able to move as well as it should. Then, your finger may become stiff and have problems moving. ‚
Care includes drugs, limiting your movement, and sometimes surgery. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor may give you a splint or brace to wear to limit the movement. Wear it as your doctor tells you to.
- Use pillows to prop your hand when you are resting.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Rest your hand. Avoid any activity that makes the pain worse.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may send you to a physical therapist.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). These are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
- Help with pain, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
The doctor may give you a shot of an anti-inflammatory drug called a corticosteroid. This will help with swelling. Talk with your doctor about the risks of this shot. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
- The pain from trigger finger may limit movements of your hand.
- A splint or brace may also limit your movement.
What problems could happen?
- Loss of finger movement or strength
- Ongoing pain or stiffness
- Long-term disability
- Injury to nerves, blood vessels, or other tissues
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Take rests often when doing something with repeat hand motions. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- You are not able to bend or straighten your finger
- Swelling, pain, or stiffness that gets worse
- Tips of your fingers or toes or your nail beds become blue
- Numbness or tingling in your fingers or hand
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I am not able to bend or straighten my finger; have more pain, stiffness, or swelling; or my fingers are cool or blue.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/PDFs/A00024.pdf ‚
American Society for Surgery of the Hand ‚
http://www.assh.org/handcare/Hand-Anatomy/Details-Page/ArticleID/27938/Trigger-Finger ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/trigger-finger/pages/causes.aspx ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-05-13 ‚
List_set bdysylist
- Adult
- Neuromuscular and Skeletal
- Therapy (Occupational, Physical, Speech, etc)
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚