• Trigger finger may right itself without treatment. Especially in children. However, if not treated, affected finger/thumb may also become permanently bent, therefore it is advisable to apply some of the following tactics:
• Try not to use affected thumb / finger(s). Allows healing to take place;
• Splinting - reduce movement by strapping affected finger/thumb to a stiff splint
• Reduce inflammation - using short and long-term anti-inflammatory treatments
Treatments for acute inflammation
Treatments for chronic (long-term) inflammation
- Using Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy is particularly effective - apply field (E.g. using SOTA magnetic pulser) to painful / inflamed A1 pulley area in line with knuckles;
• Massage A1 pulley on palm side of hand at base of affected finger or thumb
• Accupuncture
• Corticosteroid injections - injected into affected tendon sheath; restores movement in days/weeks; effect may not be permanent, especially in those with underlying issues, such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.
• Outpatient surgery on the affected sheath - to release tendon and allow it to move freely again. Recovery time usually takes 1-2 weeks.
- One procedure involves making a small incision at base of finger to release constricted A1 pulley by cutting tendon sheath
- A more recent, less-invasive method uses ultrasound and moves a strong needle and your finger around to break apart the constriction
Possible side effects in both methods - include damage to blood vessels and nerves, and a minor risk that tendon separates from bone, which can make it difficult to fully extend finger.
