There is a lot of confusion about hand conditions, like whether the pain in your finger is caused by trigger finger, carpal tunnel, or something else. What is trigger finger, and how can you test if you have it or not?
Trigger finger:
Trigger finger, or stenosing tenosynovitis, is a painful condition that causes your finger to bend and lock towards your palm. It is usually a result of inflammation or swelling in your tendon sheaths.
Luckily, testing for trigger finger doesn’t require an X-Ray or another sophisticated method of detection. Even if you go to a doctor for analysis, they will carry out their examination based on your symptoms. Checking for the symptoms of trigger finger is the best way to identify it. A doctor examination can help you to detect the trigger finger situation and get a trigger finger treatment at home or from your physician.
Symptoms:
- Clicking every time you bend or straighten your finger
- A finger remaining locked in a certain position even if you try to flex it
- A lump at the base of the affected finger
- Pain or soreness when trying to bend, straighten, or move your finger
Risk Factors:
Although trigger finger is a condition that anyone can develop, some people are more prone to it. A few risk factors are listed here:
- Age: People who are between the ages of 40 to 60 are more likely to develop trigger fingers.
- Gender: Women are more at risk of developing trigger fingers, as compared to men.
- Health conditions: People suffering from diabetes, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis are at risk of developing a trigger finger. Note that some people confuse carpal tunnel syndrome with trigger fingers; however, this condition is different.
- Profession: One of the most common reasons for trigger fingers is occupation. People who do work that involves repetitive use of fingers or work that puts on constant stress on the fingers, such as musicians, writers, and industrial workers, are more likely to develop trigger finger.
Stenosing tenosynovitis may be painful, but not every pain in your finger can be considered “trigger finger.” In order to get proper trigger finger treatment, it is necessary to understand the underlying condition that you’re dealing with. Start by identifying the symptoms that you have, and comparing them to the list above.