Trigger fingers are caused by a swollen bump in your flexor tendon getting stuck under the band that holds your tendon against the bone. If your trigger finger is often stuck in the morning upon waking up, it can be very painful to straighten out.
Trigger finger is a good name because as you slowly flex your finger it suddenly jumps like a trigger being pressed. You feel the discomfort in your finger where your tendon is catching.
Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen and reducing heavy mobility use of your finger are good first treatments.
A cortisone injection is the second treatment and often cures it. If these fail, surgery can cure the triggering using a 1/2-inch incision in your palm. The patient can return to light duty one-to-two days after surgery.
Walker Wynkoop, M.D., lives in Los Banos and is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with 30 years of experience. He works at Surgical Affiliates of California. Please email questions to Doc@Wynmd.com.
