Popping and Locking
Feb
11
Written by:
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Recently I spoke to a client who had been complaining of morning stiffness and pain throughout the day with difficulty bending and unbending her thumb joint. After seeing her doctor, she was diagnosed with trigger finger, which is a condition where your fingers or thumb get locked temporarily in a bent position. It is called trigger finger or trigger thumb because the affected digit may unbend with a popping sound, which sounds like a trigger being pulled and released.
Trigger finger is said to result from excessive repetitive gripping movements. Professional musicians, as well as factory workers, for example, may over-use their digits. Trigger finger is more prevalent in women and appears to affect those with rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes more than usual. It is more common in the dominant hand, but may strike both hands. The thumb or ring (middle) finger is usually most often affected, but it is not unusual for more than one finger to be involved.
This condition is believed to be due to a narrowing of the protective sheath that surrounds the finger/thumb tendon. This sheath lining releases a lubricating fluid, which allows the tendon to glide smoothly as you bend and unbend your finger. However, if that sheath lining becomes inflamed, the space inside the tendon sheath gets smaller. As a result, the tendon has difficulty gliding easily through the sheath. The digit starts to catch and this irritates the tendon. The digit is then caught in a bent position. If the inflammation continues over a long period of time, nodules or scarring and thickening in the area can occur. What a vicious cycle!
What to do? First, see your physician and follow his recommendations. Recommendations may range from simple rest to surgery. My client soaks her hand in warm water to help with morning stiffness. She also tries to modify those repetitive gripping movements she cannot totally avoid. In addition, an icing routine, consisting of 5 to 10 minutes with an ice bag on the thumb, was suggested. This routine makes the blood vessels narrower and helps control the inflammation and reduces pain.
Trigger finger can also be treated with soft tissue massage. As you know, soft tissue massage will bring in fresh blood and nutrients to the troubled area. Transverse friction can help break up adhesions, as well as relieve tenderness of the digit. The trigger finger/thumb can be stretched following this friction technique. Next the extensor muscles that extend the fingers and wrist can be strengthened to maintain the length of the tendon that was just stretched. The treatment can be completed with ice massage to reduce inflammation.
So if you have some popping and locking going on, consider all options for relief.
4 comment(s) so far...
women diabetes
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Alena
ovarianpain.net
By Alena on
Friday, February 12, 2010
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Re: Popping and Locking
Thanks for checking in Alena. I appreciate the kind comments.
By Jane on
Thursday, February 18, 2010
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Re: Popping and Locking
I read your article. It is really good job. Well done. Trigger finger can also be treated with soft tissue massage?
Yoga
By shilpa on
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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Re: Popping and Locking
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Shilpa. Yes, soft tissue massage helps to relieve tightness and discomfort.
By Jane on
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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