Triggered Finger And The Pivotal Role Of Physiotherapy

It can be very crippling to have a disorder that interferes with the smooth operation of our fingers in a world where our hands carry out many jobs each day. The condition known as trigger finger, which is distinguished by painful and frequently jerky finger movement, can drastically lower a person's quality of life. Fortunately, physiotherapy has become a highly effective non-invasive therapeutic option beyond surgical and medicinal procedures. Electrotherapy and a variety of mobility exercises are part of the physiotherapy process. We shall examine the trigger finger's intricacies in this blog, along with its aetiology, symptoms, and—most importantly—the crucial role that physiotherapy plays in its treatment.

 

What Causes Trigger Fingers?

Trigger finger or trigger thumb is the result of swelling in or around the tendons in your fingers or thumb. Bands of tissue called tendons connect muscles to bones which allow your hands' muscles and tendons to cooperate to bend and straighten your fingers and thumb. These tendons are encased in a sheath, a tissue tunnel. They are shielded and the tendons are held in place by the sheath.

 

When the tendons in your affected fingers or thumb become inflamed, irritable, and difficult to glide through their sheaths, this condition is known as trigger finger. Your damaged tendon may develop a lump (nodule), which makes it much more challenging for the tendon to easily slide through its sheath.

 

The A1 pulley, a section of your tendon, is where the nodule frequently snags or becomes impaled. Your finger will feel tight or jammed if your tendon is having a tougher time than usual passing through the A1 pulley.

 

What Are Trigger Finger Symptoms?

Inflammation of the tendons that allow your fingers to bend causes trigger fingers, which results in discomfort and tenderness in the affected fingers. Your finger's range of motion is restricted by the condition, which can make it challenging to bend and straighten your finger.

 

Typical early signs include:

●     the base of your thumb or another finger continues to hurt

●     Your finger's base may lump or bump close to the palm.

●     Tenderness towards the finger's base

●     action accompanied by a snapping or clicking sound

●     Inflexibility in your finger

 

The trigger finger may worsen if you don't receive therapy. The thumb, another finger, or both may become trapped in a bent or straight position as advanced signs. If your trigger finger is advanced, you might not be able to uncurl it without using the other hand.

Trigger finger problems typically worsen in the morning. As the day goes on, the finger usually begins to unwind and move more easily.

 

Physiotherapy: A Holistic Approach To Healing

The importance of physiotherapy in the treatment of trigger fingers has grown. It provides a holistic strategy that treats the condition's root causes as well as its symptoms. Here is how physiotherapy is essential:

●     Pain management: Physiotherapists use a variety of methods to treat pain and reduce inflammation in the affected area, including manual treatment, ultrasound, TENS, and heat/cold therapy.

●     Range of Motion Exercises: Gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises can help maintain or regain the flexibility and mobility of the injured finger. These exercises are usually recommended by a physiotherapist.

●     Exercises for Strengthening: By enhancing the stability and supporting the tendons of the affected finger, strengthening exercises can lower the risk of recurrence.

●     Ergonomic Education: To reduce stress on the tendons, physiotherapists evaluate the person's everyday activities and offer advice on ergonomic changes.

●     Manual Techniques: Physiotherapists use techniques like joint mobilizations and soft tissue manipulation to help tendons glide more easily and to reestablish normal movement patterns.

●     Home Exercise Program: Physiotherapists create individualised exercise regimens that patients can follow outside of clinic visits to hasten the healing process.

●     Education and Prevention: In addition to providing medical care, physiotherapists also instruct patients on the causes of Trigger Fingers and how to avoid a recurrence. People are better equipped to make wise lifestyle decisions with this knowledge.

 

Trigger Finger Exercises

Simple stretching exercises may be suggested by medical professionals and physical therapists to assist in reducing the pain and stiffness brought on by the trigger finger or trigger thumb. Below are a few instances. Start by performing these exercises three to five times each day, then increase the frequency to hourly.

 

Tip And Middle Joint Bend

The tip and middle joint bend exercises can be done by following the steps listed below.

●     Hold the finger at the base of the hand slightly above the knuckle.

●     The finger should only bend at the tip and middle joints, leaving the remainder of the finger unmoved.

●     Return the finger to its original shape by unbending it.

 

 

Clenched Wrist Bend

An explanation of how to conduct the clinched wrist bend exercise is provided below.

●     The fist should be loosely closed, and the thumb should be pointing up.

●     The fingers and wrist should bend towards the torso.

●     For two seconds, keep stretching.

●     Put the wrist back in its original position.

●     10 times on each side, repeat.

 

Side To Side Wrist Bend

The side-to-side wrist bend exercise can be done by following the steps listed below.

●     Placing the hand palm down and keeping the wrist straight on a table.

●     The wrist should be bent as far to the left as possible.

●     pause for two seconds.

●     Return the wrist to the middle.

●     The wrist should be bent as far to the right as possible.

●     pause for two seconds.

●     Return the wrist to the middle.

●     10 times on each side, repeat.

 

Finger curl

It could be simpler to rest your elbow on a table while doing the finger curl exercise. then take the actions listed below.

●     Start by placing your palm towards your body.

●     The hand should be made into a loose fist.

●     The thumb and fingers should be slowly uncurled until they are all fully extended.

●     pause for two seconds.

●     Form a loose fist by curling the thumb and fingers back.

●     Ten times, curl and uncurl the thumb and fingers.

 

Tendon Gliding

●     First, spread your fingers as widely apart as you can, and then bend them so that your fingertips meet the top of your palm.

●     Straighten your fingers once more, spread them widely, and then flex them until they touch the centre of your palm.

●     Reopen them wide, contact the base of your palm, and bring your thumb to the tips of each finger.

●     After that, use your thumb to touch various locations on your palm. Do this twice every day in three sets.

 

 

What can I do at home?

The most crucial thing you can do to help your trigger finger is to wear your spli
nt all the time. As part of your treatment, your physiotherapist will prescribe you specific tendon gliding exercises that you must perform every day. Additionally, it's crucial to prevent very tight gripping, especially if it puts intense pressure on the affected area in the palm of your hand. If the problem is too intense the only way to treat it is by going through a physiotherapy route. Visit us at RRCP and get an innovative in-depth transition and an amazing physiotherapy experience. If you are an aspirant looking to study the course we have good news for you. The admissions have begun for the course; select the stream you want to specialise in and book the seat at the earliest. The applications for admissions are on the rise and we would not want you to miss your spot.