When it comes to preserving bones and joints, many people may choose to focus on caring for the knees, hips, or spine. But did you know that our “fingers” are also heavily used? Because of activities in the digital age that require us to use our fingers regularly, whether it’s typing on a computer, chatting with friends on a smartphone, or even shopping where we often carry heavy items for a long time. These everyday behaviors that seem ordinary… can cause you to unexpectedly face “trigger finger”!
Recognize the warning signs early! Before trigger finger becomes severe…
Trigger finger is a condition that often comes and goes, causing many people to overlook it, thinking it is not serious. The warning signs usually start with pain in the palm before spreading to the fingers. The severity of the condition can be divided into 4 stages as follows:
- Pain at the base of the finger
- When gripping or straightening the finger, there is a catching sensation, but the finger can still be straightened
- The finger locks when making a fist and cannot be straightened by itself; you need to use the other hand to pull it straight
- Unable to make a full fist, and the finger joints may become deformed
If you notice symptoms that fit any of these 4 stages, you should see a doctor immediately. If left untreated and becomes chronic… it may cause permanent damage to the tendon sheath, and even surgery may not be as effective as expected.
“Needle tip prick” technique for treating trigger finger… takes only 5 minutes!
Besides treating trigger finger with medication, steroid injections, and surgery, there is now another treatment technique that can solve this problem within 5 minutes! The doctor uses ultrasound to guide the needle tip to the affected area and pricks the tendon sheath to cut the sheath that is constricting the tendon. After treatment, the patient’s finger can be exposed to water normally within 24 hours.
Not only does this treatment take a short time, but the needle tip prick technique also helps prevent recurrence. However, for other fingers, if you do not change your behavior and reduce factors that increase the risk of trigger finger… the condition may also occur in other fingers.
Dr. Nararit Luanchamroen
Specialist in Rehabilitation Medicine
Muscle, Bone, and Joint Center Phyathai Nawamin Hospital
