Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is a common condition of the finger where the finger gets “stuck” in a bent position after making a fist. It can be difficult and painful to stretch out the finger and can be frustrating to deal with.

What Causes Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger, AKA stenosing tenosynovitis, can affect any of the fingers or thumbs. The condition affects the tendons which connect your muscles to your bones. Think of tendons as the strings of a marionette.

Usually, tendons glide through a tendon sheath. If a tendon is swollen, it cannot glide smoothly through the tendon sheath and can become stuck. The sheath itself can also become inflammed from repeated friction which can narrow the opening for the tendon to move through.

Hand Therapy

Hand therapy is the best first course of action for trigger finger. Treatment includes the following: reducing swelling, scar tissue, and improving mobility of your fingers. Use of splints may be required to reduce repetitive locking or “triggering” of your finger.

At Soma Hand Therapy, we utilize the most advanced treatments to help your trigger finger:

  • Class IV Laser Therapy (Hi-Intensity Laser Therapy)

  • Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

  • Soft tissue mobilization

  • Kinesiotaping

  • Dry needling.

  • Custom splinting

Medication

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications may help to alleviate mild symptoms of pain, inflammation, and discomfort. Anti-inflammatory cortisone injections can help to reduce inflammation and allow the tendon to glide more freely. Sometimes, more than one injection may be required.

Surgery

Trigger finger release surgery may be recommended when conservative treatments (splinting, hand therapy) do not work for the triggering. Surgery aims to alleviate the constricted tendon sheath to allow the tendon to move freely once again.

Contact us today to get scheduled to maximize your outcome. We offer certified hand therapy in Nashville and Clarksville, TN.