Trigger Finger Treatment - Page 3

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

Hi Dear! I sure hope it improves with time.

Have you tried putting a splint on the finger for much of the time, to see if it starts feeling better? I don't remember how many days i was doing that but it really did seem to make the difference. I don't know if the little massages I was doing on the trigger joint were part of that recovery but, for some reason, my body told me to do that too.

I do feel like keeping the joint from being bent to much was very elemental in my recovery. I think I described what I did so that I could remove it and put it back on (hand washing, doing things with hands, etc) and just having it on for much of the day so I wasn't clicking it all the time (bad habit I had) really made a lot of difference.

It's been a year now and no sign of it returning.

Best!

LogoFan · ‎03-11-2010

@chickenbutt

Thanks so much for responding. I have not used a splint or anything to keep the finger straight and steady. In fact, It was suggested to me to do exercises by squeezing my hand with a Physical Therapy ball in my palm. At the time I was also discussing possibility of carpal tunnel syndrome with a massage therapist at my hair salon.

I spend 20 minutes for a chair massage with him for my spinal and connected nerve issues which helps me with that to some extent. But that is another nightmare.

I did ask the hand surgeon's assistant about some form of aid in protecting my hand while sleeping. I mentioned in the beginning of forum somewhere that I sleep only left side with head elevated by a dog bone style pillow, and my left hand always ends up under the weight of me and those pillows. Have improved some by trying to keep hand out from under me. She said something like I should not need anything and will be fine. Honestly, it is almost impossible to recall every detail of a visit with new medical office.

I was kind of startled when you spoke of a splint and keeping finger from bending too much, when I am doing the opposite by opening and closing my fist to try and help relieve stiffness in the finger. I do massage the entire finger a bit.

I do not get out much because of spinal issue, so do not have convenience of searching for things like a brace/splint. Costs me a fortune for paid rides to/from dr visits and bi-weekly hair salon visits.

Sorry for lengthy message; but finally, did you get the finger brace/splint at a place like Walgreens or CVS drug store?

Really helpful when I get advice here and really appreciate it. Thanks again.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

Yeah, I don't get out much anymore either.

I got mine on Amazon.

This is what I used - They have larger sizes for fingers, of course. The 'small' size was perfect for my thumb. I put mine on with a couple of bandaids, instead of wrapping it with tape, to make it easy to put on and take off during the day. It worked great that way.

I just hope you have some relief soon! Thanks for listening. I didn't want to be intrusive, but hoped to share what helped me so much with mine. I kind of let it go for quite a while but then it got to the point where it really hurt bad so I had to act.

LogoFan · ‎03-11-2010

@Chickenbutt

Thanks for more information. I did find the splints on Amazon and put them on wishlist.

I did speak to surgeon's office today with questions. They advised me not to use a splint, but to maintain range of motion on the finger and massage gently and also ok to ice finger. Just a wait and see thing. Now told it could take up to 4 weeks before considering that injection failed.

She did mention splint for possible future issues with carpal tunnel so will keep it in mind if that becomes issue in future. Really hoping that I will get some relief from steroid injection. One thing did change pretty quickly; although finger is still very stiff and tingling, I do not feel that strange feeling when flexing fingers any more. They call it clicking, so at least something changed. Hope springs eternal.

HerRoyaLioness · ‎03-13-2010

@LogoFan- I have trigger finger (middle one) and tried a brace (not the one pictured) and it made it worse. After 5 nights, I did not wear it anymore. My poor finger was so stiff and painful after wearing the brace I couldn't stand it. I am just doing massage and trying to keep it as limber as I can. Haven't tried ice yet, but will. This is just my experience with a brace. Hope you are doing better with yours! I'm thinking surgery may be my best option in the end.

LogoFan · ‎03-11-2010

@HerRoyaLioness wrote:
@LogoFan- I have trigger finger (middle one) and tried a brace (not the one pictured) and it made it worse. After 5 nights, I did not wear it anymore. My poor finger was so stiff and painful after wearing the brace I couldn't stand it. I am just doing massage and trying to keep it as limber as I can. Haven't tried ice yet, but will. This is just my experience with a brace. Hope you are doing better with yours! I'm thinking surgery may be my best option in the end.

HI. Guess we are all different to a degree. It has been 10 days since injection. I actually feel like I am more aware of issue since that shot. The tingling has become more prominent and the stiffness only rarely seems better - symptoms change on and off. Also feels like I now have awareness of of bumps (must be joints) in fingers and hand. I will not try injection again but look into surgery.

Thanks for advice. Appreciate all information here.

LogoFan · ‎03-11-2010

@HerRoyalLioness

Just wanted to make comment here. The use of ice was mostly for swelling at beginning after injection. I do use gel ice packs for a regime I do for spinal/nerve root issue. Use ice after that, so just place my left hand against ice pack on back after it has been on for a bit and pretty much very briefly; a few minutes. It does soothe my stiffness/tingling sensation.

Wanted to be sure I was not misleading anyone. This is more my instinct.

Hope you get better.