Trigger Finger

[Rita16]

I'm a type 1 and have had trigger finger 3-4 times (different fingers) over the years, always sorted out by steroid injections - but the most recent time about 18 months ago i had to push for such treatment (through my hospital specialist), as the GP surgery was reluctant to treat me with steroids "because it could raise my blood glucose and that could put me in a coma". Given that i'm a well controlled diabetic, that statement was nonsensical - steroids will raise BG, but this can be easily managed with more insulin for the recuperation period - and just shows the levels of non- understanding in surgeries these days with regards to diabetes management.

 

[Graham809]

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 type 1 diabetes and have had trigger finger in two fingers although I didn't elated it to diabetes. I had surgery to release them which was done under local anaesthetic and was only painful whe they injected th anaesthetic into the web between fingers.

 

[Niki Shuttleworth]

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?

Yes, physio is worth it, i have had 5 operations that were great but injections that didn't work for me. I only got physio after my last operation (different hospital as moved address), the physio also gave me a splint, so if one of my fingers starts again as it does occasionally, I wear it for a month when sleeping and the finger straightens out again.

 

[Niki Shuttleworth]

Yes, physio is worth it, i have had 5 operations that were great but also injections that didn't work for me. I only got physio after my last operation (different hospital as moved address), the exercises help and the physio also gave me a splint, so if one of my fingers starts again as it does occasionally, I wear it for a month when sleeping and the finger straightens out again.

 

[DAC1950]

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 suffer from Trigger Finger quite regularly, some relief can be had by wearing a finger splint while asleep. However I always see my Doctor when this occurs and receive a Cortizone injection into my hand. The injection HURTS but it is very effective and for me lasts at least a year.

 

[alisonhe]

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’ve had trigger finger in most fingers and thumbs at different times, it is inflammation and I find that eating healthy ie low inflammatory foods for me, really helps. When it was really bad in the past, I found that moving it through the pain repeatedly was what eliminated it, this took a while and initially I did this for an hour when I was a passenger in a car and I found that this helped make the movement of the joint easier so I kept doing it so I do think physio will help. The go only offered me surgery which I declined

 

[alisonhe]

Hi, I’ve had trigger finger in most fingers and thumbs at different times, it is inflammation and I find that eating healthy ie low inflammatory foods for me, really helps. When it was really bad in the past, I found that moving it through the pain repeatedly was what eliminated it, this took a while and initially I did this for an hour when I was a passenger in a car and I found that this helped make the movement of the joint easier so I kept doing it so I do think physio will help. The gp only offered me surgery which I declined

 

[Pageyboo]

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’ve had this a couple of times and on my right hand. The first time I was advised to bind the finger affected with the adjoining finger which I did over night. After a couple of weeks it did the trick! Having said that, it has come back but a few years have elapsed. My finger is usually bad when I wake up but gets easier during the day. Hope you get it sorted. Linda

 

[Al123]

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.

Hi I have had two fingers with this on both hands the first was some years ago after trying all the none medical was to stop it I finally went to the doctors who sent me to the hospital were a physio first trued to get my fingers to operate properly with
A wax bath on my hand it deemed to work at first but after two or three days it came back. He then sent me to see a doctor who said I needed an operation to free it. I had the operation and my hand has been great since then. Now my other hand has started with trigger finger up to now I have had an injection in my hand which did nothing to my finger for the pain I was then sent to another physio gave me a finger splint which has fixed the pain but I have been on it for four years with very little pain if I take the splint of it comes back so as I am 81 I don’t think that they will do anything now but I can live with the splint so I do not mined it. I hope that your fingers will get better with time.

 

[IreneAB]

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?

 

[IreneAB]

Hi,
I have had two operations for trigger finger... I suggest that you need to be referred to your local hospital for a review for hand surgery which worked perfectly for me. At the time the problem arose I was taking a medication (an anti-hormone cancer drug) which was reported to possibly cause trigger finger, which combined with approx 55 years of type 1 diabetes obviously didn't help! The operated fingers are working well, since the ops 9 and 6 years ago. The hand surgeon simply looked at my history and said, don't bother with injections, they won't work! His junior doctor asked why and was told, because of the history of diabetes.
Hope this helps.

 

[Marilyn Barraclough]

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’ve had several trigger fingers - my GP uses a steroid injection into the affected tendon (I think it is - the Dr will know) and within a week or two of being careful with it, the finger goes back to normal.

 

[Lissia]

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 trigger finger with my baby finger with the left hand, I was sent to physio first and then to see a hand surgeon who did a steroid injection, it took a few weeks but it’s worked quite well.
My sister in law is a senior consultant surgeon at the Norfolk and Norwich and she said to me that trigger finger is unfortunately quite common in diabetics.

 

[Chris1951#]

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've had trigger finger on both thumbs and 5 or 6 on my fingers. Never been to physio always had to have surgery. Also had carpal tunnel syndrome which was also operated on. Hope physio works for you

 

[courty13]

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?

Ive had trigger finger 3 times had two operations and recently had a cortisone injection for the 3rd one which seems to have helped at the minute. It does get painful when it locks and you have to prise it open again have they not referred you for the injection yet.

 

[Frillydraws]

To the person who has got trigger finger please get yourself checked out for Rheumatoid Arthritis.As this does happen if you got RA just gently massage your fingers if this doesn't work try it under a running tap!!! yes it can be painfull .good luck!!

 

[smc]

Hi I have trigger finger on my ring & middle finger on my right hand, I have had steroid injections in the past but they no longer work, so surgery is the only option now. I think you have to start with having a visit to the physio first.

 

[Bobbb]

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’ve had trigger finger now for over 6 years (wrongly diagnosed as

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’ve had Trigger finger (middle finger of left (non-dominant) hand) for over 6 years now (first wrongly diagnosed as Dupuytrens). Physio never helped at all. Scan and ultrasound showed thickened tendon. Referred to Hospital where a great consultant diagnosed condition straight away, talked about treatments and mentioned how common it is for diabetics (regardless of how easy or difficult control is/has been). The thickened tendon won’t slip through the covering sleeve thereby stopping the finger from bending (reducing my hands capability to grip things). I was offered a steroid injection - I knew the effects this would have on my control but felt the inconvenience would be worth it. Consultant did say how steroid injection would almost be useless but I wanted to try it before the offered surgery (opening up the sleeve a bit). 2 months after steroid injection and it has made no difference. I await phone call back from Hospital to talk through next stage of treatment (finger op.). Maybe this sounds drastic to some; but I’ve hardly been able to bend my finger for such a long time. I’m 59 and have had diabetes for 49 years with a very decent hba1c. Good luck with your physio; I think this is stage 1, steroid might be #2 and op #3 ? I’m not sure as yet if the op would be a one off. Good luck!

 

[smc]

Hi, I’ve had trigger finger now for over 6 years (wrongly diagnosed as

I’ve had Trigger finger (middle finger of left (non-dominant) hand) for over 6 years now (first wrongly diagnosed as Dupuytrens). Physio never helped at all. Scan and ultrasound showed thickened tendon. Referred to Hospital where a great consultant diagnosed condition straight away, talked about treatments and mentioned how common it is for diabetics (regardless of how easy or difficult control is/has been). The thickened tendon won’t slip through the covering sleeve thereby stopping the finger from bending (reducing my hands capability to grip things). I was offered a steroid injection - I knew the effects this would have on my control but felt the inconvenience would be worth it. Consultant did say how steroid injection would almost be useless but I wanted to try it before the offered surgery (opening up the sleeve a bit). 2 months after steroid injection and it has made no difference. I await phone call back from Hospital to talk through next stage of treatment (finger op.). Maybe this sounds drastic to some; but I’ve hardly been able to bend my finger for such a long time. I’m 59 and have had diabetes for 49 years with a very decent hba1c. Good luck with your physio; I think this is stage 1, steroid might be #2 and op #3 ? I’m not sure as yet if the op would be a one off. Good luck!

I have just had surgery on two of my fingers, it was done under ultrasound and needles in my hand with a local anesthetic. Wasn’t painful, I have a thickened sheath too. The open hand surgery means six weeks off work if this doesn’t work. Good luck.

 

[westlife48]

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 trigger finger the physio did nothing so had a steroid injection and that worked