1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Finger and Hand Problems

Trigger Finger

Posted , 16 users are following.

This discussion has been locked due to a period of inactivity.
1rene40
1rene40

I woke up with Trigger finger one day. I saw a specialist who offered a steroid injection or an operation which I declined.Over 6 months it deteriorated and became impossible to make a fist, cut things and then painful to write(it was on the ring finger of my right hand).

After six months I was treated to a facial and the therapist massaged the base of my neck a little.

The next day the symptoms had completely disappeared and 15 months later have not returned.

When I initially saw my GP and asked how trigger finger came about she said that it was thought to have a connection with the neck which proved correct in my case.

3 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

Next
  • Gerry_the_neck
    Gerry_the_neck

    Posted

    You might be right. I had trigger finger (middle finger) a few years ago and mine resolved by itself after 2 months. I had been offered injection, but decided to wait and see. I also have a neck problem (cervical spondylosis ) for many years and I have wondered if there might have been a connection with the neck. They say that trigger finger is caused by a small lump on the tendon ( not sure if its nerve or muscle ) at base of finger, but if that's the case , why can it resolve itself without interference ?
  • mixiethepixie
    mixiethepixie

    Posted

    Hi Feb 2012 I woke up with my ring finger on my left hand locked. I had to physically unlock it. My GP referred me to a "hand specialist" who said I had trigger finger. I had injections into my hand and had ten months great relief - thought it was gone completely. That november it came back and I went back to the consultant. Since then I have had two separate lots of injections but to no avail. I am no in the situation that I am practically in tears with the pain in my left hand. Only thing now is that the finger does not actually lock - it has not done since the very first injection. After the third injection the consultant said that the next step would be surgery. I have not contacted him yet as for me surgery is the absolutely last resort. Just wondering here if there is any point in having a scan of my hand to rule out anything else. I do trust this guy I really don't want to "go under the knife" unless absolutely, absolutely necessary. On the other hand, pardon the pun, I cannot go on with this pain much longer. I have changed diet etc. etc. to see if that would help to no avail. any suggestions? thanks
    • rich23906
      rich23906 mixiethepixie

      Posted

      Hi, I hae "trigger finger" on my index finger left hand. Any action requiring even minimal strength will lock up the finger in the curl position. To make it release the lock, I run hot water over it and slightly massage the finger. This results into the lock becoming lose and untangle. I at times experience my finger locking up in my sleep and I resorted to a splint which proved to be cumbersome. So this is what I am curently experimenting with and I actuallu experience some improvement.  Before retiring in the evening, I run the warm/hot water over my hand, then I apply "Voltaren Dolo Emulgel" made by Novartis, or "Australian Dream Arthritis Pain Relief Cream" and massage it in. (Voltaren seems to have the edge on it) Once the skins is dry, I slip on a regular leather glove used in cold weather climates. The glove prevents me frombending the finger past the point where it ordinarely would lock up. The issue is to relax, treat and prevent further lock-ups.

      Furthermore a take a B-6 Vitamin, one in the AM one in the evening. This I was told by a friend of mine who claims was what healed his same situation. We both are Guitar players where the index finger gets used if not over used (Barre cords !!) I am also a golfer and of course the club is gripped by the left hand thus adding insult to injury right. I know there is not only a chance that I will suceed eventually indriving this problem out, it is only a matter of time until I identify the one thing which will do the trick. No surgery for me if I can prevent it at all cost.

  • scattyLady
    scattyLady

    Posted

    mixiethepixie have you thought about neck and back massage? it might well help the situation before you have surgery.

    I have intermittent trigger finger in my left middle finger. but I have found waiting to let it unlock it self helps in the mornings. Most mornings it will be stuck. AS yet I have been able by forcing it to open without resorting to using my other hand. so I am hoping it will not get worse. I drive using a steering wheel ball with my left hand due to other medical problems. so I am not sure if that is what set it off initially. sometimes during the day it gets very 'clicky' so I have to work it a few times to loosen it.

    Inotice you have not posted since July so I hope you have by now got some relief

    and not had to have surgery.!

    good luck and best wishes

  • justincase115039
    justincase115039

    Posted

    5 years ago back in early 2008, one finger on my right hand started locking. The next day one finger on my left hand started locking. I've had multiple injections, 6 trigger finger release surgeries, both carpal tunnel surgeries, and one tumor taken out of my elbow. Now I find out I may have prostate cancer because my psa levels are way high. Had a biopsy done yesterday. Will know something next week. I wonder if there could be a connection between the two?
  • scattyLady
    scattyLady

    Posted

    just an update on my condition no when the finger gets stuck I almost always have to unbend it with my other hand and THAT is painful.

    Yet some days I it is fine most of the day

    Thanks

    Justin I have no idea if your trigger finger is anything to do with raisd PA but maybe you have arthritis as I think mine is more connected with that. as I have it in both hands already in that finger with heberdens node and more growing on other fingers.

    Good luck everyone

  • mixiethepixie
    mixiethepixie

    Posted

    Hi thanks for your messages. I ended up having the surgery back in late July it seems to have been successful but in the last couple of weeks my hand has been very "achy". I have no triggering in the finger but it does wake me up at night with a "stiffness" that's the only way I can describe it. I asked my physio about it and she said that it seems okay so now I don't know what to do.l
  • justincase115039
    justincase115039

    Posted

    MixiePixie I feel you pain literally. I hope you find the key to stop your symptoms and mine. Someone suggested an upper neck message and while I don't think it will help me I am willing to give it a try. lol twist my arm. If you're having a lot of pain definitely wear the hand braces even if you can't tell a difference. I just thought of this but if anyone has a tens unit or knows where to borrow one, I wonder if it would help to wear it on your bad arm on low voltage for the night. I don't know if it will work but it would beat the crap out of waking up with a throbbing hand and arm. Been there. I think it would be fair to say that my hand problems started the same year I was diagnosed with very high cholesterol. And now my psa levels are high and I've had to have a colonoscopy and a prostate biopsy. Waiting on results left hand in bandage. lol

  • justincase115039
    justincase115039

    Posted

    MixiePixie I feel you pain literally. I hope you find the key to stop your symptoms and mine. Someone suggested an upper neck message and while I don't think it will help me I am willing to give it a try. lol twist my arm. If you're having a lot of pain definitely wear the hand braces even if you can't tell a difference. I just thought of this but if anyone has a tens unit or knows where to borrow one, I wonder if it would help to wear it on your bad arm on low voltage for the night. I don't know if it will work but it would beat the crap out of waking up with a throbbing hand and arm. Been there. I think it would be fair to say that my hand problems started the same year I was diagnosed with very high cholesterol. And now my psa levels are high and I've had to have a colonoscopy and a prostate biopsy. Waiting on results left hand in bandage. lol

  • justincase115039
    justincase115039

    Posted

    MixiePixie I feel you pain literally. I hope you find the key to stop your symptoms and mine. Someone suggested an upper neck message and while I don't think it will help me I am willing to give it a try. lol twist my arm. If you're having a lot of pain definitely wear the hand braces even if you can't tell a difference. I just thought of this but if anyone has a tens unit or knows where to borrow one, I wonder if it would help to wear it on your bad arm on low voltage for the night. I don't know if it will work but it would beat the crap out of waking up with a throbbing hand and arm. Been there. I think it would be fair to say that my hand problems started the same year I was diagnosed with very high cholesterol. And now my psa levels are high and I've had to have a colonoscopy and a prostate biopsy. Waiting on results left hand in bandage. lol

  • justincase115039
    justincase115039

    Posted

    I was literally begging the doctor to fix me or cut off my arms.
  • scattyLady
    scattyLady

    Posted

    Mixie Pixie, please go back to your GP, your physio is NOT a doctor, I had one physio that my useless GP had sent me to for pain under my shoulder blade tell me that the 'thickening in my neck was due to muscle wastage on my back.!!!!!!

    Turned out I had cancer so See your GP if you trust them( I changed my GP because he could not diagnose properly on 4 occasions .He could have saved me a lot of pain if he had realised I Had shingles at one point I still get post shingles nerve pain.on top of everything else! Or ask for a referral back to the surgeon who did the op!

    I hope you have changed your diet now though. People do not realise the effects of what they eat plus could be genetic on top. So PLEASE eat healthily all things in moderation.

    OH Just a thought Justingcase ask for referral to a pain clinic.

    best wishes to you all.

  • terryj296
    terryj296 1rene40

    Posted

    I know this is an old forum, but i have had great luck with glucosamine, condroitin, msm supplement.  I take osteo-biflex.  You can buy it at wal-mart.  About $18.  Takes a few weeks to see the effects.  Good luck and God bless you all.
  • donald21689
    donald21689 1rene40

    Posted

    I have trigger finger in the fourth finger of my right hand.  I get relief by taping the finger with 3 inch wide sugical tape (cloth, not paper tape) from the base of the finger past the middle joint. This acts the same as a brace in preventing the finger to flex so much that it locks, while allowing slight movement and use.  Being stiffer, Duct Tape is more effectivin in imobilizing the finger, survives hand washing better, and is cheaper.  Use only enough tape to provide an overlap of about 1/4 inch to make it easier to remove (about 3 inches long). I change the tape every morning.
  • donald21689
    donald21689 1rene40

    Posted

    Thanks for your message.  I am going to investigate neck massage as a treatmnt for my trigger fing problems.
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.