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trigger finger relief?

lizbeth-gardener

11 years ago

Just gathering info on what has worked for others before I see the doctor. Have had two cortisone injections and was told at the time of second one, he wouldn't do anymore. Now the doctor I loved and trusted has moved, so need to make appt. with someone new. Has anyone done PT or had surgery for this and if so, what was your outcome?

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Comments (10)

yborgal
11 years ago
I had a problem with my thumb. I had a cortisone injection and it didn't do much to improve things so I was facing surgery. But in the meantime, I went online, found exercises to do and did them. As a consequence, my thumb got fixed on its own. 18 months later it's still working as it should.
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
11 years ago
I have found that every since I purchased an ergonomic computer keyboard, I have very little problem with trigger finger or any of the other hand complaints/aches I did have.
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Oh YES....I've had two triggers. I'm now 61, had the triggers about five years ago and these were the very first health problems since having my tonsils out as a kid. The first trigger was on my ring finger and developed from keeping a tight ring on 24/7 and various gardening chores over the years. Went to PT where they created a four week treatment of wearing a splint continuously (comfortable and waterproof) and administering twelve courses of iontophoresis. Iontophoresis is where cortisone is pumped through the skin with a 9-volt battery on the site of the trigger to reduce the internal swelling. Sounds ridiculous, so if you google it you'll have a more credible explanation. Anyway, it worked like a charm on the ring finger. My second trigger was like yours, on the thumb, very painful and much worse than the first. This time had to use the big guns and went to an orthopedist, specializing in hand, arm, shoulder problems. He gave me a cortizone shot in the base of the thumb (ouch) which did not work at all. So I decided apprehensively on the surgery. What a huge success! It was only slightly painful afterwards but I did keep it wrapped and in a protective position as recommended and did not abuse it as I was determined to have it heal properly. They also gave me a little silicone patch to keep on the scar for better healing and less keloid scarring. Again, sounds ridiculous, but it worked. I still do a lot of gardening but have learned how to use the hands so as not to bring the triggering back on any fingers. No gripping of large heavy objects, no hanging buckets of water from the fingers, to pulling and yanking with the fingers. I also still needlepoint daily and, although stitching is repetitive, it is gentle. A few months ago we helped my mother and aunt move and I could tell that this activity over a long time could have produced more triggers on my fingers. So from one who goes to a doctor infrequently and reluctantly, I am completely happy with the results. As far as your surgery, here's wishing you good luck. Please give your thumb every opportunity to heal properly and please relearn some daily tasks to prevent more triggers. My best wishes....
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I had trigger finger in my ring and middle finger on my left hand. Had a shot in each one of them help a little would catch every now and then but they would ache. Then on my right hand my middle finger started catching but didn't get a shot in that one.That one would ache too. Funny thing got a new to me car last summer and my fingers started getting better. I decided it was because my other car didn't have power steering and this car does. Once in a while my finger on my right hand will catch, but the left hand doesn't bother me at all. Kittywhiskers
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fourkids4us
11 years ago
Coincidentally, the woman who cuts my hair just had the surgery for trigger finger 5 weeks ago. I just went back to have my hair done the other day and asked her how it went. She didn't have a good experience unfortunately. The palm of her hand is still a little swollen - she's afraid maybe a stitch was left inside. She's been going to a physical therapist twice a week b/c she still does not have full motion back of her finger. She said she was going back to the surgeon soon to see what is the cause of the swelling. Now I don't know anyone else who has had the surgery so I'm not sure if hers is just a fluke experience but she was kind of wishing she hadn't bothered to have it done. It meant she had to stop working while she recovered so she had no income during that time and now it's not even correctly fixed. However, since hers is so recently done, I'm not sure that her experience is one I would use to judge whether it's worthwhile. Perhaps she would have better things to say later on down the road, assuming that the PT works and they can figure out why it's still swollen.

I'm going back again in four weeks, so I'll post an update if I remember!
mary_lu_gw
11 years ago
I had one, my ring finger on right hand. Actually just thought about it the other day. It eventually went away by itself. Not sure why it came or why it went away. Had it for about 1 year. Guess if I would get one again, I would not be quick to have surgery with my experience.
3katz4me
11 years ago
Mine also went away by itself.
lizbeth-gardener
Original Author
11 years ago
monablair: The cortisone made mine totally go away, but after a couple of years, it comes back. Will try to find the exercises you talked about. Do you have a web address?

walnutcreek: I would like to know more about your keyboard. I know my laptop is exacerbating, if not causing my problem, but have gotten rid of our desk computer and gone to laptops & I-Pad. I did get an external mouse, so I wouldn't be using that finger to move the cursor, but find I inevitably go back to the laptop stroke without thinking.

fourkids: I would be interested in following your hairdresser's outcome. I really do not want to go the surgery route till I've exhausted my other options.

mary lu & gibby: I wish mine would just go away, but haven't had that experience in the past. Mine is my middle finger and it is bad enough that I can't do some of the usual things. I had to get DH to peel and core a fresh pineapple for me this morning. I couldn't put the needed pressure on the chef knife. Am waiting to get into doctor and hoping to get an rx for PT for starters.

Thanks for all of your responses.
My3dogs ME zone 5A
11 years ago
Lizbeth, I have had carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists, and last October had major rotator cuff surgery. The 'cuff' surgeon told me that I would not be able to use anything but a trackball mouse. I use a standard keyboard.

It may not help you, but it has amazed me in eliminating hand pain from mousing up to 17 hours a day. The one I bought is linked below. I have one for both my work PC and home PC. Work supplied me with one, and I had ordered another type, which was awful. This one has truly helped me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Logitech Trackman Marble Mouse
lizbeth-gardener
Original Author
11 years ago
my3dogs: Thanks for the mouse link. I will have to research and see what the differences are in my microsoft 4000 mouse and yours. It would sure be worth trying if I would help.

Sorry to hear about your carpal tunnel and rotator cuff issues. I have had both, but been able to get back to normal without surgery. I do think I visit the orthopedist more than any other specialty.
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
11 years ago
Lisbeth, the keyboard is the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 v10. It has truly made such a difference; I must admit that I did not think it would, but my initial thoughts have been disproved.
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
11 years ago
Meant to add that I am seriously considering purchasing the Wow Pen Joy Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse. It was highly recommended in the computer forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wow Pen Joy Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse

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