Trigger Finger

westlife48

Active Member
Messages
25
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
I have a trigger finger and now going to have a injection of steroids for it they may have to operate on it later on. Never had physio
 
Messages
8
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
Not sure if this is still an issue for you. I have had trigger finger issues on both hands for over 20 years. My local MSK service is excellent. I have had steroid injections that have resolved most of them (the latest 2 weeks ago) but also had surgery on a danger and thumb.
Pain killers don't touch it for me but soaking in warm water and gentle exercises can help
 
Messages
8
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
I have had trigger finger for over 20 years. My local MSK service is excellent. I have had a number of steroid injections that usually resolve it and have had release surgery on one thumb and one finger.
Painkillers haven't helped me but I find soaking my hand in warm water helps and gentle exercises and hand massage.
 

SandraBe

Member
Messages
5
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
I have trigger finger. The dr referred me to physio however that did not work. Had Cortisone injections, has helped more.
 

SandraBe

Member
Messages
5
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
I have trigger finger. The dr referred me to physio however that did not work. Had Cortisone injections, has helped more.
 

rvh767

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
I had this issue with my left thumb a few years ago. It starts as an inconvenience but just gets worse and more painful. The solution for me was a steroid injection. It took a few days to take effect but the end result was miraculous with no problems since. I'm afraid I would be rather sceptical about physio for this problem.
 

jp99

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
 

jp99

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
 

jp99

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I had a Trgger Fnger problem with the middle finger of my.left hand last summer. My GP gave me a Cortisone injection but it didn't help at all. What helped tremendously were the exercises my daughter found on the Internet! After I had done the exercises daily for a couple of weeks they cured the problem completely!! And the Trigger Finger hasn't come back!

I found the first 4 on the list below worked best for me but that was just personal preference. I hope you get some help from the exercises. Best of luck!

1) Hand clenches
Place the outer side of your affected hand on a flat surface.
Keep your thumb facing upward.
Ensure that your wrist is straight.
Loosely clench your hand into a fist.
Hold this position for two seconds.
Unclench your fist and then straighten all your fingers.

2) Towel Grasp
Place a small towel or flannel on your palm.
Scrunch and squeeze the towel into a small ball using your fingers.
Keep squeezing until you feel pressure in your fist.
Hold this position for a few seconds.
Release your fingers to loosen the towel.
Repeat the exercise ten times.
Do this twice a day.

3) Palm Press
Place a small object on your palm.
Squeeze the item tightly.
Hold this position for a few seconds.
Release your hold until you extend your fingers.
Perform this exercise thrice a day.
You may use different small objects each time.

4) "O” Exercise
Use your affected finger to create an “O” shape with your thumb.
Hold the position for five seconds.
Release your finger to its original position.
Repeat this ten times.
Do this exercise twice each day.

5) Hand Turn
Set your hand on a flat surface with your palm facing down.
Turn your hand to slowly reveal your palm without straining.
Hold this position for two seconds.
Move your hand back to its initial position.
Repeat this ten times.

6) Finger Curl
Rest your elbow on a flat surface.
Hold your palm to face your body.
Loosely clench your hand into a fist.
Unclench your hand gently until you stretch out all your fingers.
Hold this position for two seconds.
Repeat this ten times.
 

mefunk

Member
Messages
22
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
I had a similar problem with several fingers a couple of years ago. I did get physical therapy and it really did help. I have not had any issues with it (fingers crossed) in about 2 years. Good luck I hope the PT works for you too.
 

Neillo 63300

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
 

Terry stubbs

Newbie
Messages
1
Hi @Sarah69 .
Not for trigger finger, but for damage to bones in hands. One due to arthritic base of thumb, the other was follwing a fall when I broke fingers and scaphoid bone.
Physiotherapists tend to specialise now. E.g. Lower limb, spine, etc.i was very fortunate to be referred to an excellent hand therapy specialist. Good advice on exercises, but I needed to do the work. Also provided correct splints and explained how to use them. Also, advice on different aids and equipment I could use to help manage tasks. A recent fall and more damage means I need their help again, but I have been using the exercises and other info that was useful in the past.

Sorry my conditions were not the same as your trigger finger, but I would definitely recommend you ask for hand specialist physio and or Occupational therapist. Mine helped restore full movements in hands.
I hope someone who has had trigger finger will see your post and give more specific advise from their own experience.
I’ve had 5 fingers and one thumb. Last referral was to physio however my Hba1c was 57 and they can’t inject above only inject below 55 so was referred to specialist who says surgery is the only sure way to cure the problem. The first one I had was locked and the doctor injected me which did free it off for a few weeks but ended up having surgery. Hope this helps

Terry
 

Neillo 63300

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Not sure if this really helps you but I had trigger finger on both hands ( middle finger and third finger) back in the early 1990's. Initially I was given cortisone injections which relieved the pain and discomfort for about 6 months. However the problems returned and despite for cortisone injections it was becoming progressively worse. My fingers were really swollen and day to day tasks were becoming a problem. In the end I was referred to a surgeon who told me he could fix the issue with surgery. I had both hands operated on at the same time and was given a general anaesthetic. Woke up with 6 stitches in both hands. For about a month there was very little improvement but eventually full mobility returned to the affected fingers and hasn't returned in over 25 years. So I consider myself cured. The only down side is that I have some slight scarring on the palms of both hands.
 
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Gill C-J

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
I have had a cortisone injection for this. Doctor said it might take 2 - 3 weeks to fully work, and after a week, it's already feeling better. Waiting for another injection in another finger on the other hand. Doctor said just keep my fingers moving - which is helping somewhat!. I also have osteoarthritis!!
 

jagdeepdua

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
Hi. Sadly I've had trigger finger in most of my fingers in each hand.. they're painful and physio was no help as the cause is inflammation that causes a nodule to form in the finger's pulley system. The fix, for me at least, was to reduce the inflammation using a cortisone injection. Most fingers have been permanently fixed by one injection but two, have ended up requiring surgery to cut a small v to allow room for the nodule not to get caught . Surgery is a last recourse. Always.
 

johnmeredith

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
 

Lucy62

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
Hi. I had trigger thumbs a few years back and was referred to a specialist hand surgeon who gave me hydrocortisone injections and they didn’t solve the pain. I had surgery on both hands- no problems since for my thumbs. I have now trigger finger and am waiting for physio to look at it. They will help a bit. But then they will probably be referred to hand specialist at hospital and probably go from there. Apparently quite common in diabetics so if need to have surgery I’ll go for it again.
 

johnmeredith

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I was diagnosed T1D in 1959 and was first diagnosed with trigger fingers in 1972 (remember it well, the year our son was born). The treatment t then was a minor operation on the tendons in the palm of the hand followed by physiotherapy. Between 1972 and 1995, I had the same treatment to all digits, both hands, some fingers operated on on more than 1 occasion. I was told back then that the condition is .ore common in diabetics and there is a higher risk if you are a typist, knitter or pianist- I fall into the latter category. John
 

euan mac

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi,

I know I’ve asked before on here if anybody has trigger finger, but as the one I have on my right hand is very painful I contacted my dr via the patches system asking for some painkillers for it. I now have an appointment with a physio in a few weeks. Had anyone else been referred to physio and did it help?
Hi I have had a trigger finger and trigger thumbs on both hands. I was told that it is a complication of diabetes by both a orthopedic doctor and physio. I had physio for my trigger finger and 1 of my trigger thumbs this helped a little but did not resolve the issue. I was then given a steroid injection which helped the trigger finger for a short time allowing me to use my hand again without pain. I was also given the same type of injection for 1 of my thumbs which resolved the issue completely. Unfortunately of my finger and other thumb I eventually had to have a small operation to release the tendons, it sounds worse than it is and worked. I have had no more issues since, I hope this helps and gives you some relief that there are ways to fix the problem