Trigger finger is the common term used for indicating forefinger of your right hand. In medical terms, trigger finger is a condition used to describe defective tendon that creates jerk in the finger to snap straight when you extend the hand. It locks the finger inward and in some cases thumb also gets locked. It causes intense pain due to inflammation. Normally the tendon will move smoothly through the tissue covering called “sheath” owing to the presence of special lubricating fluid synovium. However when the tendon develops swelling the bent finger would pull the tendon inward via the narrowed sheath thus making it snap.
When the person extends his hand the tendon gets momentarily struck and locked at the mouth of the sheath tunnel. This condition is described as trigger finger. This is also called as stenosing tenosynovitis. People who make repeated gripping movements are vulnerable for developing trigger finger. Complete resting, applying hot or cold compression and stretching exercises can give relief from pain. In severe cases surgical intervention is necessary.
Trigger Finger Symptoms :
Symptoms of pain and stiffness can be mild for some people and severe for others. Trigger finger can cause morning stiffness, pain and tenderness at the base of the finger. Sometimes a clicking sensation can be felt as the finger gets locked when the person moves the finger. Bumps or lesions can be formed in the palm and sometimes the finger gets locked inward thus restricting the movement.
Often this condition is seen in the thumb or middle finger only. For some people only one finger is affected and for others two fingers. Similarly it may involve one hand or both the hands. Pain is felt when one tries to straighten the finger or tries to hold some object. As one takes rest during night, there will not be any movement of fingers and this can cause rigidity or stiffness. That is perhaps the reason for morning stiffness of tendons of finger.