Trigger finger
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ICD-10 | M65.3 |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 727.03 |
| eMedicine | orthoped/570 |
Trigger finger, or trigger thumb, is a type of stenosing tenosynovitis in which the sheath around a tendon in a thumb or finger becomes swollen or a nodule forms on the tendon itself. In either case, the tendon can no longer slide freely through its sheath. Affected digits may become painful to straighten once bent, and may make a soft crackling sound when moved. More than one finger may be affected at a time, while it usually affects your thumb or your middle or ring finger. The triggering is usually more pronounced in the morning, or while gripping an object firmly.
[edit] Treatment
Treatment may include a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, hand splinting, corticosteroid injection directly around the tendon and sheath, or surgical release of the sheath.
One home remedy for this condition is soaking the affected hand in first hot, then cold water, usually for 3 minutes and 30 seconds, respectively, a minimum of three times each. This can cause drying of the skin on the hands; gloves during the treatment or moisturizer afterward can alleviate this side effect.
An alternative way of unlocking the affected finger is to flick the neighbouring finger five or six times, using a fair amount of force.
[edit] External links
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons information on trigger finger
- Overview page from a UK surgeon
- Information from the Mayo Clinic
- Information from eMedicine
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