Trigger Finger Or Trigger Thumb

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Trigger finger or trigger thumb is when your fingers or thumb get stuck in a bent position – as if squeezing a “trigger.” A trigger finger can occur in one or more fingers. The ring finger is often one of the fingers affected. The condition is also known as stenosing tenosynovitis.

Trigger finger or trigger thumb is more commonly seen in:

• People who have jobs, hobbies, or tasks that require strenuous repetitive motions; frequent, strong grasping or gripping, or forceful use of the fingers and/or thumb. For example, trigger finger frequently occurs in people who use their fingers or thumbs for multiple repetitive movements. These people may include:
  • Farmers
  • Industrial workers
  • Musicians
• People who have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout or diabetes.
• People between the ages of 40 and 60.

What are the signs and symptoms of trigger finger or trigger thumb?

Signs and symptoms of trigger finger or trigger thumb include:

• Snapping or popping sensation when moving the finger(s) or thumb.
• Soreness at the base of the finger or thumb in the palm, especially while gripping or grasping.
• Pain and stiffness when bending the finger(s) or thumb.
• Swelling or tender lump in the palm of the hand.
• Locking of the finger(s) or thumb in the bent position (in severe cases). The finger(s) or thumb must be gently straightened with the help of the other hand.
• Inability to fully flex the finger.

The stiffness and bent position of the finger(s) or thumb are worse in the morning. The stiffness lessens as the fingers and thumb are used.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENTS

• Steroids injection
• Platelet rich plasma injection

PRP THERAPY

Platelet-rich plasma is a form of regenerative medicine. It uses injections of your own blood platelets to help with healing.

What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma?

Platelets, or thrombocytes, are a type of blood cell. Their main function is clotting blood. They’re produced in your bone marrow. Platelets contain growth factors. These are proteins that may be helpful in healing injuries.

How Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Work?

A healthcare professional will collect a small amount of your blood (approx. 15-20 ml only). They will place your blood into a centrifuge. This spins your blood at different speeds until it separates into different layers. One layer is the platelet-rich plasma. This layer of plasma may have as much as three-four times more platelets than regular blood.‌

The platelet-rich plasma will then be injected into your affected area. We will first numb the area with local anaesthetic. The pain at the site may increase for the first 1-2 days. It could take 1 week before you feel any improvement.‌

After your treatment, we will recommend you to:

• Avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications ( NSAIDs) after your treatment as this may block the effect
• Avoid activities that put stress on the area of treatment for a few days

Is Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment Effective?

The effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma treatment depends on several factors, including:

• Your overall health
• Whether your injury is chronic (it developed over time) or acute (sudden and serious)
• Which part of your body needs treatment
• The preparation of the platelet-rich plasma treatment

Many clinical trials have supported its use.

Some studies have found that platelet-rich plasma injections significantly reduced pain compared to placebos. People’s physical function also improved significantly. These benefits continued at 3, 6 and 12 month follow-ups.

There’s no chance of an allergy or immune reaction to platelet-rich plasma treatment because the plasma is taken from your own blood. Side effects and complications are rare

What does the procedure involve?

The doctor will clean the area over the joint and insert a small needle into the fluid filled area around the joint bones under imaging guidance. When it is in the correct position, they will inject the PRP into the joint. They will remove the needle and cover the injection site with a small dressing.

Why Not (Contraindication)?

Occasionally it is difficult to inject much medicine into the joint space, especially if the joint is extremely swollen. If this is the case, other medicines may be prescribed to reduce the swelling before the injections are tried again.

What you are to do before the procedure (Preparation)?

• Book prior appointment if elective or get admission in causality if emergency
• Lab investigation (*PT/INR, CBC), XRAY, CT/MRI scan and previous records.
• 2-3 Hours fasting.
• If you are on blood thinner like Aspirin, inform during appointment.
• One accompanying person
• Need to sign a consent form for procedure

Approx. Stay in hospital?

We have very fast and competent working team (Consultant, fellow, clinical assistant, technician and ward assistant) which provide you comfortable atmosphere and ease your nerves. Usual time of stay is around few hours.

Complications

Every procedure carries a risk, although this is extremely small. The risk of infection with this procedure is extremely small as no incisions are made in the skin.

Resume to work?

You can resume your work after 1 day if existing disease allows.