Rheumatoid arthritis causes many difficulties for patients who experience the symptoms. Due to the inflammation that accompanies rheumatoid arthritis, one of these symptoms may be trigger finger. The Merck Manual says that a normal tendon slides in and out of a sheath when the finger bends. If the finger is inflamed, it can still come out of the sheath but has difficulty going back into the sheath. The result is a finger that is stuck in a position as if pulling a trigger. Finger exercises can help solve this problem. Never continue exercises without medical consent if severe pain develops or condition does not improve.
Massage
Never underestimate the healing properties of a simple massage exercise. RSI Relief recommends a transverse friction massage to help reduce the size of any adhesions or swelling. Simply rub the swollen area on a regular basis, which this could cause the inflamed tendon to shrink, allowing it easier access to the sheath. If increased swelling occurs, stop massage and consult your physician.
Stretching
The Mayo Clinic recommends that trigger finger exercises be gentle in nature. One exercise that is gentle is finger stretching. To do this, keep your fingers together, then spread them apart, hold, and bring them back together. Hand Health Resources claims this exercise will reduce the swelling in the fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis swells the tendons, so this exercise would help with trigger finger symptoms.
Fist Exercise
According to Hand Health Resource, there are fist exercises that will help trigger finger by lubricating tendons. Start by touching the top of your palm with your finger tips. Move down into a clenched fist with your fingers in the middle of your palm. Reach your fingers down to the bottom of your palm and start the cycle over. If trigger finger is severe, this may not work, and if extreme pain occurs, do not complete the exercises.
Thumb Stretch
If your thumb is the finger that is being bothered by trigger finger, an exercise that may help is the thumb flexion. Begin by pointing a thumb upward, and then stretch the tip of the thumb toward your little finger. Touch the tip of the thumb to the base of the little finger to get a good stretch.
