Alternative Treatments for Trigger Thumb

Trigger thumb or trigger finger, also called stenosing tenosynovitis, occurs when the protective sheath surrounding a tendon becomes narrower, resulting in the finger catching in a bent position. The "trigger" aspect comes from the finger's appearance and the sound that occurs when it is straightened. In severe cases, the finger may bend and become stuck. Your treatment will depend on the severity of the condition and can include at-home treatments, medication and surgery.

Lifestyle Treatments

• For mild to moderate cases of trigger finger, basic rest and precautionary measures are the best method of treatment. Try resting your hand or soaking it in warm water in the morning, and use a splint while sleeping to prevent your finger from involuntary curling. Other remedies that might help your finger include massages and simply avoiding activities that require constant gripping or curling of your fingers.

Medication

• For severe cases of trigger finger, you should use either nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or steroid injections such as cortisone, as prescribed by a physician. NSAIDs work by relieving pain and swelling, while cortisone injections reduce inflammation, especially when you use them as soon as symptoms appear. Repeated injections may cause a decline in effectiveness, and as such are best done under the careful monitoring of a physician. Also, some conditions such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis may decrease the efficacy of the injection.

Surgery

• If conventional methods or medication do not work for you, surgery to release the tendon may be necessary. Surgery involves widening the sheath to allow the tendon to slide through it easier. It is typically done within a day and offers immediate relief. An alternative to this is percutaneous trigger finger release, which involves using a needle to unlock your finger while under general anesthesia. This is done primarily and most effectively on the middle, index and ring fingers.