Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital Orthopedic Specialist Assist. Assoc. Dr. Numan Duman made an evaluation on trigger finger disease. What is trigger finger? Can trigger finger be treated?
Trigger finger discomfort, which occurs with complaints of snagging and pain when opening the finger after bending it, reduces the quality of life.
Experts state that the incidence of trigger finger disease, which is seen at a rate of 3 percent in the society, increases in patients with systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout (hypothyroidism), diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome and kidney diseases. Stating that the finger starts to hang and lock in the advanced stages of the disease, experts point out that when you wake up in the morning and in the cold, the complaints of tripping and pain are more common.
What is trigger finger?
Assist. Assoc. Dr. Dr. Numan Duman said that trigger finger disease, which is called "stenosing tenosynovitis" in medical language, occurs when the tendons that allow the fingers to bend in the hand get stuck under the bridges (pulley) that they pass under at certain points.
How do our fingers work?
Noting that the tendons are in the form of a long rope starting from the forearm muscles and continuing to the tips of the fingers, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Numan Duman said, “Pulleys are strip-shaped structures that the tendons pass under at certain points and that regulate and limit the movement of the tendon. These pulleys keep the tendon in close contact with the bone. It creates tunnels between the bone and tendon around the tendons and allows them to move freely in it.” said.
Complete snagging and finger locks may occur.
Stating that in cases such as thickening, swelling and inflammation in these structures, the tendons can get stuck under the pulleys, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Numan Duman said, “Trigger finger is the case of snagging and pain when opening the finger after bending it. Using the finger after this problem has started usually causes more swelling of the structures here, causing the table to become heavy. Sometimes complete snagging and finger locks can occur.” warned.
Trigger finger is seen in 3 percent
Stating that trigger finger disorder is seen in 3 percent of the society, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Numan Duman said, “The incidence is increased in patients with systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout (hypothyroidism), diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, and kidney diseases. Rarely, traumas to the palm and base of the fingers may also be causative. Congenital trigger finger may also occur in newborn babies, and the thumb is mostly affected in these babies. he said.
Hard swelling and pain are seen
Assist. Assoc. Dr. Numan Duman, “Trigger finger discomfort occurs most often at the junction of the fingers with the palm. The most pain and tenderness is felt in this joint part. In the examination, sometimes palpable structures in the form of hard swellings are seen in this region. In the later stages, the finger starts to get stuck and locked. When you wake up in the morning and in cold weather, the complaints of stuttering and pain are more common. he said.
Can trigger finger be treated?
Assist. Assoc. Dr. Numan Duman stated that the aim of the treatment is to prevent the finger from getting stuck and to eliminate the feeling of discomfort during its movement, “For this purpose, activity reduction and oral anti-inflammatory drugs can be used. Injecting steroids into the area can help reduce symptoms, but we do not prefer the use of steroids because of the long-term damage to tendon structures.” said.
Noting that it is possible to loosen the pulley, which causes compression, in cases that last for a long time and cannot respond to medical treatment, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Numan Duman said, “The surgery is performed under local anesthesia with a small incision in the palm. During the surgery, the vascular nerve structures that are close around the tendon sheath should be protected. he said.
No recurrence after successful surgical procedure
NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital Orthopedic Specialist Assist. Assoc. Dr. Numan Duman noted that the patient was asked to open and close and move his finger in the postoperative period and said, “After the procedure, the symptoms usually completely regress and recurrence does not occur after a well-done surgery. In some patients, wound stiffness may occur due to excessive healing tissue. This usually regresses over time with home massages.” said.
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