Trigger Finger is a form of overuse injury that affects one finger (1-5) with symptoms ranging from no pain disorder with occasional broken / jerking of the finger (s), to severe dysfunction and pain with continuous locking of the finger (s) in a bent position downward / forward to the palm of the hand.
The occurrence of these injuries usually result from overuse of the flexor muscles / tendons and the formation of adhesions or fibrotic nodule on the tendon. If left untreated, the adhesion / nodule becomes larger, thus creating a conflicting ratio between the size of the tendon and the size of the entrance of the tendon sheath. In most cases, if the adhesion / nodule is not treated, can continue to increase in size (Depending on activity / use of the affected finger) to the point where he still has the ability to get into and through the tendon sheath when flexing the finger, but became trapped and can not move back through the tendon sheath when trying to extend / straighten the finger, thus causing the finger to lock in a bent position to a forward / downward.
Because Trigger Finger consists of adhesions, nodules, and scar tissue buildup in the tendon due to excessive strain, excessive, or direct trauma to a specific location on the tendon, it should be treated with stretching and strengthening exercises to break down the adhesion on the affected tendon. With the break up adhesions in the tendon is affected, reducing the size and slide through a pulley system in the normal way, there is no "catch" and lock down a bent position. (There is also a "thinning" of the tendon, which helps reduce the overall size of the tendons and nodules, making it possible to pass through the tendon sheath more easily.) Creating strength in the finger extensor tendons is very important as opposed to allowing the fingers to return to the extended position in a way that more appropriate. This is where muscle balancing comes into play. By creating equality of tendon length and strength on both sides of the finger joint, individuals can help prevent the onset of Trigger Finger and / or keep from happening again in the future.
Conservative therapy utilizing stretches and exercises have been very effective, providing long-term and permanent. For those who want to avoid surgery and for those where surgery is not effective in eliminating the condition, stretch and exercise therapy is the solution to prevent and rehabilitate both devastating symptoms associated with the trigger finger.
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