What is trigger finger and how is it treated?
Trigger finger is a condition that makes it difficult to straighten a finger after bending it. This is caused by inflammation or swelling of the fibrous sheath (a band of tissue around the tendon).
People with trigger finger cannot extend fingers smoothly. They may experience a snapping sensation in the finger, or tenderness at the base of the finger. Trigger finger can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and ice. If this does not work, a doctor may give you an injection of a local anesthetic (numbing medication) to keep you from feeling pain in the area, and a steroid injection (cortisone-like medicine) to reduce the inflammation of the tendon sheath.
If your condition is very painful, or if none of these treatments work, you may need surgery to remove the part of the tendon sheath that is causing the tendon to get stuck.
Talk to your doctor to find out what is right for you.
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