All There is to Know About the Trigger Finger

Trigger Finger, the medical term for which is Stenosing Tenosynovitis, has emerged as quite a common disorder in the last few years. Although earlier categorized as a disease, the Trigger Finger syndrome has now been recognized as a form of repetitive strain injury, much like tennis and golfer's elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

So what exactly is Trigger Finger? This disorder stems from the formation of a nodule or adhesion on the tendon of one or multiple fingers. When this gets stuck within the tendon sheath, it causes a painless but annoying condition which causes the affected finger or fingers to swell up and restricts movement. The finger, when straightened, flips back suddenly and the whole action looks like a trigger release on a gun. This Finger can also be caused by direct injury to the tendon via micro-tears. The Trigger Finger syndrome is most commonly found in people over the age of 40, and according to some researches, women seem to be more prone to it than men. Also, people suffering from diabetes or orthopedic problems like rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis, stand a greater chance of getting the Trigger Finger disorder.

If you have been diagnosed with Trigger Finger, you need to know about the various treatment procedures available to prevent the condition from aggravating. Here are some of the commonly used ones.

Cortisone Injection - Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication that is used to treat the swelling. It should not, however, be confused with a pain relieving medicine. While treating Trigger Finger, injection of cortisone in the tendon sheath causes the inflammation to die down, and this is what decreases the pain as well. In most cases, patients find this an effective treatment that usually lasts for months.
Investigative treatment options - Although there is no concrete scientific support for use of such treatments, a lot of people have found them effective. You can try non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, steroid iontophoresis treatment, therapeutic ultrasound, splinting, occupational or physical therapy, and even acupuncture.
Surgery - The surgical procedure for treatment of that Finger is relatively simple and can be performed under local anesthesia. The surgeon basically cuts the sheath restricting the tendon, thereby widening the tunnel opening to facilitate smooth movement of the tendon. The recovery period is very short and you can start moving your fingers right after the operation. Moreover, the surgery rarely results in any complications, and reappearance of the problem in the same finger is almost unheard of.
Trigger Finger surgery has become a widespread practice, and Las Vegas is one of the places that boasts of the best surgeons and treatment facilities for all kinds of hand surgery, neck surgery, nose surgery, and plastic surgery procedures. So if you happen to be in need of Trigger Finger surgery Las Vegas is the place to be.

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