FAQs On Trigger Finger

When you get a trigger finger, panic is a normal reaction. After all, it feels like your finger has its own mind, and you have no control over it. Sometimes it bends and snaps back into position. However, in extreme cases, the finger will remain bent.

Here are some of the FAQs about a trigger finger.

 

When Does Trigger Finger Occur?

A trigger finger usually occurs when the tendon is inflamed. The cause of the inflammation varies from person to person, but some people are at greater risk of getting a trigger finger. Women, people aged between 40 and 60 years, people with rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, and those who perform tasks that strain their fingers are more likely to suffer from a trigger finger.

 

What Are the Symptoms of Trigger Finger?

A bent finger is the most evident sign of a trigger finger. However, there are other symptoms that you should watch keenly because they sometimes occur before the finger becomes severe. Symptoms include;

  • Stiffness.
  • Clicking sensation around the joints of the affected finger.
  • Tenderness around the joints.

These symptoms tend to be more severe in the morning.

 

Can Trigger Heal Without Medical Intervention?

In the early stages, the trigger finger tends to correct itself. Unfortunately, the problem tends to recur, often progressing and becoming worse. Over time, the finger becomes bent, needing trigger finger surgery to correct it.

When caught early, therapy, such as splints, will help fix the trigger finger without surgery.

 

What Happens When Trigger Finger Is Not Treated?

Trigger finger is a progressive condition that starts with mild symptoms and becomes more severe. Unfortunately, when left untreated, the trigger finger becomes permanently bent.

You will have trouble performing regular tasks, and should you want to straighten your finger, you’ll have to use your other hand to force it. The swelling on the tendon may also become worse.

There is also the risk of other fingers getting affected. You may end up with more than one trigger finger, making it even harder to perform tasks with your hands.

 

When Should You Worry About Trigger Finger?

You should worry about the trigger finger when the joint feels hot and inflamed. The tendon sheath is at risk of infection, making the finger worse. It also means the other fingers are at risk of getting infected.

 

How Can You Stop Trigger Finger from Getting Worse?

A visit to the doctor is the best solution once you discover you have a trigger finger. If the doctor recommends trigger finger surgery, this is the best option. You may also perform multiple therapies, including resting your hand, using a splint, or taking anti-inflammation medicines.

If the tendons are swollen, your doctor may inject the affected area with steroids to reduce the swelling.

 

Is Trigger Finger A Sign of Arthritis?

People with arthritis are prone to getting a trigger finger, but not everyone with a trigger finger has arthritis. Since arthritis causes inflammation of the joints, the tendons in the fingers are also likely to be affected. The result will be a trigger finger.

Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis are the most common types of arthritis that are linked to the trigger finger. However, a trigger finger, on its own, is not considered a sign of arthritis.

Trigger finger surgery is the best solution for the trigger finger. However, the various therapies and avoidance of repetitive gripping and grasping will help keep it from recurring.

Causes Of Trigger Finger and Treatment

A trigger finger can hit you anytime, and it often comes unexpectedly. One moment your fingers are moving your fingers quickly as you go about your work. The next, the finger is bent, painful, and refuses to straighten.
If you are lucky, the finger will snap back to normal. However, once you start experiencing a trigger finger, it is best to have it assessed by a professional Hand Therapist or Surgeon before the symptoms become too severe. Mild cases do not require trigger finger surgery.

Causes

The cause of the trigger finger varies from one person to another. However, most doctors link it to repetitive finger movements. For example, when playing the guitar or gripping the steering wheel.

Sometimes, it is easier to identify the cause by looking at the high-risk groups.

These are the people most likely to be affected by the trigger finger.

  • Women.
  • People who are 40 – 60 years.
  • People who’ve had hand injuries in the past.
  • People with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • People with diabetes.

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the major causes of trigger fingers because it causes joint tissue swelling. Unfortunately, joint inflammation usually extends to the tendons in the thumbs and fingers, resulting in a trigger finger.

Another illness that can cause a trigger finger is diabetes. However, only about 10% of those with diabetes are at risk of getting a trigger finger.

Doctors believe collagen molecules build up in the tendon sheaths when blood sugar levels get so high. This results in a thick tendon sheath that affects the flexibility of the finger.

Treatment Of Trigger Finger

There are multiple treatments for the trigger finger. Some are non-surgical, while trigger finger surgery is an option for severe cases. Unfortunately, if you do not correct the trigger finger, it will remain permanently bent.

 

Non-invasive Treatments (Therapy)

Doctors often attempt therapy to see if the finger will heal without trigger finger surgery. Some of the most common therapy options include;

  • Resting the fingers. This includes avoiding activities that require repetitive gripping, grasping, and the extended use of a hand-help machine. You should consider reducing the frequency if you have to keep doing these activities. You should also wear padded gloves for protection.
  • Use a splint to keep the finger straight and keep it from moving. Most doctors recommend wearing a splint at night when the finger is resting. You may need to use the split for at least six weeks.
  • Take anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain and swelling of the tendons. Doctors inject a steroid at the base of the swollen tendon when they need to reduce the swollen tendons quickly to ease the pain. Unfortunately, steroid injections are not effective in people with diabetes.
  • Stretching finger exercises to improve flexibility.

Non-invasive treatments are ideal when the symptoms are not severe. They are also often used in children because they don’t need trigger finger surgery.

 

Surgery

Trigger finger surgery is a solution when non-surgical treatment methods fail or in cases where the symptoms are too severe.

The percutaneous release method is one trigger finger surgery used by doctors. The doctor will insert a needle in the affected tendon with the help of ultrasound imaging and move it around until it opens the affected tendon sheath. This process is a little tricky because healthy tendons can easily be punctured.

The other trigger finger surgery is open surgery. Most doctors opt for this surgery because they make an incision on the finger and can see the extent of the tendon damage. If the tendon sheath is swollen, the doctor may cut some off the allow for easier movement of the finger.

Whatever the cause, you need to ensure the trigger finger is remedied. It would be best if you visited a hand surgeon to see the best treatment option.

Cut Down The Cost Of Your Home Health Care Products By Following These Tips

IV liquid on a stand home health care products

Medical Care Can Be Expensive

Do you want to cut down the amount of money you spend on home healthcare products? If yes, you are not alone. With the ever-increasing price of medical products and equipment, it comes as no surprise that everyone is looking for innovative ways to save money.

Well, the truth is that cutting down your money on healthcare products isn’t easy. If it was, everyone will be doing it. But that doesn’t mean it is impossible. Read on to learn some smart ways to save money when restocking your home health care products.

Find Alternatives

If the medications or supplements you want to buy are expensive, you should consult your health experts to determine if you can opt for a generic alternative. If he gives you the go-ahead, you should ask your vendor for a better over-the-counter alternative. Most of the time, the over-the-counter alternative will be a lot cheaper.

Health experts don’t usually recommend taking a generic alternative to healthcare products unless it is a supplement.

Ask For A Discount

All you have to do here is to ask your vendor for a discount. If you have been a loyal customer, they may sell some products at a discount price.

Let’s face it, asking for a discount may seem daunting, especially if you haven’t done it before. But if you are really serious about cutting down your bill on home healthcare products, this challenge won’t hold you back.

Visit Many Stores

If you have a lot of time on your hand, you should visit multiple stores to compare prices. You may find out that some pharmacies offer some products at a more affordable price. If, because of your schedule, you can’t visit any of the many pharmacies scattered around Singapore, you should call their support line to make your inquiries.

Leverage Comparison Sites

An easy way to get an overview of the price some home healthcare products are sold is by visiting comparison websites. These platforms have unique systems that showcase the prices of what various vendors are willing to sell a particular product.

Besides showcasing the prices of products, comparison sites can help you find good deals on certain products. This will go a long way in helping you save costs.

Check Out the Website of the Manufacturer

Instead of buying from pharmacies that sometimes sell at a high price, you should shop from the website of the manufacturer of the medication or products. They may sell at a better price or offer discounts or coupons.  

Final Note

There you have it, some smart ways to save money when shopping for home healthcare supplies in Singapore. Applying the above tips isn’t going to be easy, especially if it is your first time shopping for medical products. Thinking about how much money you will save if you apply just a few of them will likely motivate you to try them out. And remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, it is probably a scam. So be extra careful.

Plan Post Discharge Rehabilitation

post discharge care for rehabilitation physiotherapy

What Happens Next?

Once you have a stroke, you will be taken to the hospital for medical help. After getting the required and necessary treatment, it’s time to go home and plan a post discharge care plan for fast recovery. You should be aware of the fact that when you get back home, you should be aware of the following issues:

  • Difficulty in performing daily tasks
  • Movement with one side of the body
  • Not being able to pay attention to details
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Not able to think and comprehend properly
  • Seeing on one side 
  • Any change in the behaviour
  • Issue with memory and remembering things
  • Muscular spasms
  • Not aware of or loss of sensation of some body parts
  • Difficulty in talking or understanding people

Considering the above, you might feel issues and difficulty in these areas. Thus, it would help if you were well prepared for all these issues. The biggest issue which many patients feel is the level of depression after stroke. You have been independent and active throughout your life, and one fine morning after stroke, you see yourself dependent on others. This can cause severe depression in some way. 

Moving Around Can Be Difficult

After a stroke, performing normal routine tasks can be difficult. You have to find a safe place at home, accessible to all the family members and easy to approach. You can ask for advice from medical practitioners about bringing productive change in your daily life routine. 

As far as family and friends are concerned, their full-time support is needed in these areas:

  • For contractures involving joint tightening
  • While sitting or lying, the position of both arms and legs need to be accurate and in the proper direction
  • Proper exercise every day for keeping shoulders, elbows as well as other joints intact
  • About the correct positioning of the splints

If you have planned to use the wheelchairs, then you should be aware of some other factors like:

  • Keep low pressure on ulcers. For that matter, frequent changes in the positioning of the wheelchair several times during the day
  • You should consult medical advice or the internet for seeing means for reducing pressure on ulcers
  • Reducing pressure on knees, heels, tailbone, ankles, and elbows
  • Regular exercise. In case you are not able to get exercise, they may hire the services of the caregivers. 

How To Speak And Think:

There are also tips for making thinking and speaking easier for stroke patients at home. Some can be:

  • Rather than getting zippers and buttons, go for Velcro. For buttons and zippers, make sure both are on the front side for easy access and use. 
  • It is better to use pullover clothes, plus shoes.

People who have had strokes find it hard to speak and even think at times. The communication barrier can very well be managed with the help of proper support from the family members. Also, some trained caregivers know how to talk and understand. Such help can do wonders for stroke patients at home. 

Benefits Of Palliative Home Care

air cushion medical palliative care

What is Palliative Care?

A diagnosis of a terminal illness or a disease that requires long-term treatment can be tough on families. A survey on the attitude of Singaporeans on life before death shows a majority, 77%, wish to die from home. 

Palliative home care allows patients to remain close to their loved ones. Patients also tend to be more positive about palliative treatment when done in the comfort of their homes. Having their family close to them as they draw closer to death offers patients comfort and peace.

Palliative care packages have also become very attractive. The range of services and care products gives patients greater freedom to choose the best care, depending on the type of palliative care needed. 

Palliative Home Care Is Holistic

Palliative home care Singapore provides more than health relief. While the patient’s well-being is important, their emotional and spiritual health also matters. Some palliative care products include companionship, which is extremely important for patients whose families cannot offer the emotional support they need. 

Singapore has one of the largest ageing populations in the world. According to the Health Promotion Board, 1 in 4 Singaporeans aged 40 years and above suffer from chronic diseases, with the highest percentage suffering from diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and stroke.

Palliative home caregivers help patients follow healthy routines to manage ailments such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Despite the illness, patients with terminal illnesses are also guided on improving their quality of life. 

Palliative Care Offers Comfort To The Family

The diagnosis of serious illness causes anxiety, not just for the patient but also for the rest of the family. Unfortunately, patients need hope, and when the people around them are anxious, their health suffers. 

Palliative home care Singapore offers families hope. Palliative caregivers will discuss the challenges the patient faces and the importance of hope in palliative care. In some cases, the patient may be more concerned about the impact of their illness on their families. 

The patient may be worried about the cost of the illness to the family. It could be financial, emotional, or even the relationships amongst family members. 

Unfortunately, most patients will not voice their concerns to family, but they will discuss them with their palliative caregivers. When each member understands the fears of the other party, open communication will be possible. The family will also understand that their anxiety is affecting the patient.

Helps Patients Focus On What’s Important

Patients suffering from terminal or long-term illnesses often do not know how to proceed after the diagnosis. Most may have had their lives all planned out. They knew what they wanted to do, where they wanted to go, and how they hoped to live their lives in five years. Suddenly, these plans don’t matter anymore. 

Although the illness may seem like a death sentence, it doesn’t have to be. Some palliative products help patients to rediscover their passion and focus on what matters most to them. 

For example, a vacation was a great plan, but the patient may suddenly realize that he wants most to see his daughter get married. If the daughter had plans to get married in a year, she might be willing to bring it forward for the sake of her terminally ill parent. 

A large number of Singaporeans point to cost as the greatest deterrent to the palliative care package. However, many people do not know what palliative care is and its importance to patients and their families. Undoubtedly, the benefits outweigh the cost.

What to expect after a trigger finger surgery?

Do you have trigger finger? Are you looking for an effective way to address it for good? If yes, you are not alone. You see, there are thousands of people in Singapore who are suffering from this condition and looking for ways to address it. According to a study that was conducted not too long ago, about 2% of the people on the planet suffer from trigger finger.

Since trigger fingers is a popular condition, a lot of research has been done over the years to discover the best way to treat it. Presently, there are two different paths you can take to address it. The first one is surgical, the other is non-surgical. 

Of course, you have the freedom to opt for anyone, but if your case is serious or it has deteriorated over the years, then it is wise you opt for a trigger finger surgical treatment procedure, as it is effective.

The following article by Claire Sissons shed light on everything you need to know about trigger finger surgery.

Trigger finger surgery: What to expect

Trigger finger can leave the finger or thumb stuck in a crooked position. It causes pain and stiffness, and makes it hard to move the affected digit. If other treatments are not successful or the condition is severe, surgery is usually successful in restoring full movement. Read more here.

You likely now know the various types of trigger finger surgery and what to expect after the procedure. Granted, the procedure is straight forward and can be done in 20 minutes, but there is a risk of complications like infection and nerve damage. To reduce the odds of them occurring, there are some important things you must do.

The following article by Webmd shed light on some important thing you need to know about the causes and treatment of trigger finger.

Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is a painful condition that causes your fingers or thumb to catch or lock when you bend them. It can affect any finger, or more than one. When it affects your thumb, it’s called trigger thumb. Read more here.

You likely now know that trigger finger is more common in women than men and is associated with health conditions like gout, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. You also now know some steps to take after a trigger finger surgery to speed up your recovery. But do you know that there are non-surgical treatment options for trigger finger?

The following article by Wikipedia unveils some non-surgical ways to treat trigger finger.

Trigger finger

Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a disorder characterized by catching or locking of the involved finger. Pain may occur in the palm of the hand or knuckles. The name is due to the popping sound made by the affected finger when moved. Read more here.

You surely now know some non-surgical treatment options for trigger finger like splints, NSAIDs, steroid injections, and Rest. If the symptoms of the condition don’t decline after trying out any of the above options, then you should consult your doctor. He is likely going to suggest you signup for a trigger finger surgical procedure.

Final note

 Surgery is undoubtedly the best treatment option for trigger finger, as it is quick (can be done in 20minutes), and is very effective.

However, there is a chance that complications like infection, nerve damage, incomplete release, stiffness, intense pain, and so on may occur from the procedure.

To avoid them, you must follow the instructions of your doctor to the letter. Also, you should learn as much as you can about it. Of course, doing this may not be easy, but it will go a long way in helping you recover quicker.

Steps to Take if You Have Trigger Finger

So, you have been diagnosed with stenosing tenosynovitis or trigger finger. What are you going to do next? Will you ignore it because it is not life-threatening or will you take steps to address it as soon as you possibly can?

While you have the freedom to do any of the above, you need to keep it in mind that if you don’t take action quickly, the condition could deteriorate and may become difficult to treat. Presently, there are a lot of treatment options for it. But all of them may not work for you. This makes it critical for you to see or consult a specialist if you are experiencing some of its signs and symptoms so that he or she can suggest an effective treatment option for you. The specialist is likely going to recommend a non-surgical treatment option at first. If that doesn’t work, then he might suggest you sign up for a surgical treatment option for trigger thumb.

The following article by Your.md is basically a how-to guide to treating trigger finger.

Trigger finger

Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a painful condition that affects the tendons in the hand. When the finger or thumb is bent towards the palm, the tendon gets stuck and the finger clicks or locks. Read more here.

You likely now know some non-surgical ways to treat trigger finger like- corticosteroid injections, splinting, rest, and so on. You also now know some surgical treatment options and some possible complications that may occur after the procedure. But do you know how to prevent it from occurring in the first place?

The following article by Bupa shed light on some easy ways to prevent trigger finger.

How to prevent trigger finger

Trigger finger is a condition in which your finger or thumb ’catches’ or gets locked in place when you bend it. It’s not harmful, but it can be painful and a nuisance. Sometimes it recovers by itself after a few weeks but if not, some treatments can help. Read more here.

You surely now know some proven ways to prevent trigger finger and some easy steps to take if you are experiencing the early signs of the condition. But do you know that some exercises can help you address it for good? The good thing about these exercises is that they are super easy to do and are very effective.

The following article by Braceability unveils some 7 exercises to help you address trigger finger pain.

 7 Exercises to Help Ditch Your Trigger Finger Pain At Home

Trigger finger and trigger thumb are two conditions that go hand-in-hand (literally). This condition, at best, is mildly irritating and, at worst, is extremely painful and debilitating. Trigger finger occurs when your finger’s tendon sheath (the sleeve around the tendon) becomes irritated, causing inflammation. Read more here.

You likely now know some seven exercises to help address trigger finger. Keep in mind that you don’t have to go to the gym or buy a piece of expensive fitness equipment to do them. To get the most out of them, you have to learn how to do them correctly.

Final note

Trigger finger is by no means a condition that should be taken for granted, as it is very painful, and can cause serious discomfort if left untreated.

 So, if you are experiencing some of its symptoms, it is critical that you take prompt action to address it. If you don’t, the affected finger may become permanently stuck.

Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need a signup for a surgical procedure, as there are a lot of natural and non-surgical treatment options that are effective as well.    

Frequently Asked Questions About Trigger Finger Answered

Trigger finger is a painful condition that is associated with aging. It also affects people who have existing conditions like gout, diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis. While the trigger finger is not life-threatening, it offers serious discomfort.

Over the last couple of years, the condition has become prevalent among people over 60 years in Singapore and other parts of the world. If you are one of them, it is critical that you take prompt action to learn as much as you can about it, and the best way to address it. In your quest to address it for good, questions like – What is trigger finger? What causes it? What are its signs and symptoms? What is the best treatment option for it? And many more are likely going to come to your mind. Don’t despair when they do, as a lot of research has been carried out over the years to learn about this condition. The result of this research has indeed been fruitful as there are answers to basically every question about trigger finger and its treatment.

The following article by memc unveils the answers to some common questions about trigger finger.

 Common Questions about Trigger Finger: What is it?

Trigger finger (also known as stenosing tenosynovitis) is a condition in which one experiences pain and swelling over the base of the thumb or finger. This is associated with a jerking, snapping, or clicking when one extends the affected digit from a fully clenched position Read more here.

You likely now know the answers to some frequently asked questions about trigger finger like-what causes it? Why you should see a hand surgeon if you have it and some non-surgical procedures to address it. Even after knowing all these, you might still be curious, or not fully understand some part of it. Well, if that is the case, you are going to benefit from the next article.

The following article by Fraser J. Leversedge, MD Rachel Rohde, MD is a comprehensive guide that contains everything you need to know about trigger finger.

Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and a sensation of locking, or catching when you bend and straighten your finger. The condition is also known as “stenosing tenosynovitis.” The ring finger and thumb are most often affected by trigger finger Read more here.

You surely now have a clear picture of the signs, causes, and treatment of trigger finger. But do you know the best way to address it for good?  Do you know of some complications that could arise after treating it? Do you know how to prevent? If you don’t, you are going to benefit from the next article, as it contains the answers to these questions and many more.

The following article by DiseasesDic shed light on some important things you probably didn’t know about the treatment and prevention of trigger finger.

Trigger Finger- Causes, Complications, and Treatment

Trigger finger or stenosing tenosynovitis is a condition that involves one of the fingers or thumbs becoming stuck in a bent position and then rapidly straightened like the trigger of a gun. This condition is caused by a narrowing of the sheath that surrounds the tendons in the finger. Read more here.

You likely now know some easy ways to prevent trigger finger, like exercising and not overusing it, especially if you have rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes. You also now know some complications that may arise after a trigger finger surgery like infection, severe pain, nerve damage, just to name a few.

 

Final note

Trigger finger is a condition that must never be ignored, and for good reasons. You see, not treating it early will likely make it worse and difficult to treat. The best cause of action, therefore, is to address it as soon as possible.

Of course, there are a lot of surgical and non-surgical treatment options to address it, but some of them may not be good for you. To narrow down the best one, you may have to consult a doctor.

Even if you don’t have the condition, it is still a good idea to learn about it. Doing this will put you in a better position to determine how to prevent it and the best way to treat it.