What makes fingers lock up

There are two main types of surgery for trigger finger. Whether you have open or percutaneous release surgery, the surgeon will first numb your hand with a local anesthetic to keep you from feeling pain during the procedure.

You may also receive a sedative beforehand to help you relax. While trigger finger surgery in itself may not cause pain, you can expect the area to feel sore for a few days after the procedure. You might relieve pain by applying ice and taking over-the-counter pain medications.

You should be able to move the affected finger immediately after surgery. Your doctor can determine if you have trigger finger by performing a physical exam and reviewing your medical history.

Once they figure out the cause of your symptoms, they can recommend a suitable treatment. If any of your finger joints are hot and inflamed, or if you experience a sudden, severe onset of pain, get medical attention right away, as these are signs of an infection. Trigger finger symptoms can make work, hobbies and other daily activities less enjoyable and more difficult. Before you visit your health care provider to figure out the cause of your discomfort, create a list of questions to ask so you can make the most of your appointment.

You might ask the following:. At OrthoBethesda, our highly trained team of orthopedic surgeons specializes in treating joint, tendon and ligament injuries and conditions. To treat your trigger finger symptoms or learn more, please contact us today or schedule your appointment. What Is Trigger Finger? Which Finger Is the Trigger Finger? What Are the Symptoms of Trigger Finger? Overall, common symptoms of trigger finger include: Pain in the palm at the base of the finger Finger stiffness, especially in the morning A popping or clicking sensation when moving the affected finger A lump around the base of your finger near the palm Finger locking into a bent position and then popping straight Finger unable to straighten from a locked position What Causes Trigger Finger?

Also, approximately half of patients with diabetes with trigger finger will experience the condition in multiple fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disorder that can affect the joints, muscles and tendons in your hands. Since rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation of the tendons in your hands, it can lead to trigger finger. Gout: Gout is a painful type of arthritis resulting from uric acid buildup in the body. Gout commonly occurs in finger joints, and when left untreated, can damage the tendons.

People with gout are more likely to experience trigger finger than the general population. Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis in the hands. Osteoarthritis causes cartilage deterioration in joints and eventually tendon-related pain. Trigger finger is more common with osteoarthritis.

The condition affects the layers of tissue under the skin, eventually creating a thick cord that can pull the fingers into a bent position. Trigger Finger Risk Factors Trigger finger often occurs as a result of repetitive motion and overuse. Age: Trigger finger is more common in people over 40 , suggesting that aging may play a role in developing this condition. Trigger finger symptoms often begin at age 58 on average.

Sex: Women are two to six times more at risk of developing trigger finger than men for reasons unknown. However, women are also more likely to develop osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis , so they are more susceptible to trigger finger. Hobbies: Some hobbies require repetitive movements or firm grasping, such as gardening, knitting and jewelry-making.

These activities may increase the risk of developing trigger finger. Occupation: Trigger finger is prevalent among people who have jobs requiring repetition, frequent gripping or forceful finger or thumb movements.

For example, farmers, musicians or industrial workers may be more prone to trigger finger. Rest If you have trigger finger due to overusing your fingers at work or home, you may find relief by resting your hand. Take Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain and inflammation relating to trigger finger.

See Your Doctor for Corticosteroid Injections If your symptoms do not improve with rest, anti-inflammatory medications or ice application, your doctor might recommend corticosteroid injections. Wear a Splint You can try wearing a splint on the affected finger to help the tendon rest. Do Hand Exercises and Stretches Gentle exercises and stretches can help improve movement in the affected finger, reduce stiffness and increase strength. Using your other hand, grab the affected finger and slowly pull it toward you while keeping the rest of your fingers flat.

Lift the finger as high as you can without causing pain. Trigger finger. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed Aug. Blazar PE. Trigger finger stenosing flexor tenosynovitis. Trigger digits. Rochester, Minn. Lin FY, et al. Incidence of trigger digits following carpal tunnel release: A nationwide, population-based retrospective cohort study.

Zhang D, et al. Surgical demographics of carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome over 5 years at a single institution. Journal of Hand Surgery American Volume. In press. Frontera WR. Azar FM, et al. Carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar tunnel syndrome, and stenosing tenosynovitis. In: Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. And, usually, it's the thumb that is affected.

Idiopathic trigger finger is caused by friction. People over the age of 40 are the key demographic affected by trigger finger. The risk for developing trigger finger seems to be higher if your job or pastime involves tasks with repetitive and strong grasping motion. And due to fluid retention and preexisting swelling, people with diabetes , gout , and hypothyroidism are also at a higher risk of developing trigger finger, says Cage.

Use of your smartphone or computer, however, is not a factor in developing the condition. We may be using electronics more, but there hasn't been a corresponding increase in cases of trigger finger. And while multiple digits can be affected by trigger finger, the disease does not spread from one finger to another, says Cage. Most likely, your repetitive actions are simply causing friction in several of your digits.

Treatment Options Trigger finger is diagnosed with a relatively simple hand examination—no X-rays or lab tests are required. If it's caught early enough, patients can splint the affected finger, which minimizes the friction to the tendon sheath. The longer a finger is stuck in the trigger position, the more aggressive treatment options become.