Trigger finger, a painful condition that affects the fingers or thumb, can affect skiers and other people who regularly use their hands to grip objects. The condition may limit your ability to use your hand normally. Trigger finger often improves with rest, although some people might need surgery to restore normal movement to the fingers or thumb.
Identification
Trigger finger occurs when an inflamed tendon causes the thumb or a finger to lock into a bent position. Tendons are strong bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones. A membrane called a tendon sheath surrounds the tendon, allowing it to move easily when straightening or bending the fingers. Irritation can cause thickening of a tendon and the formation of nodules, or small bumps, on the tendon. Irritation may also cause a thickening of the sheath and the narrowing of the opening that the tendon passes through. Nodules and thickening of the tendons or sheath can make it difficult for the tendon controlling your thumb to move smoothly. The tendon may become stuck when you try to straighten or bend your thumb.
Symptoms
Before you experience the full-blown symptoms of trigger finger, you may notice that the bottom of your thumb feels sore. As inflammation worsens, stiffness develops. Stiffness tends to worsen in the morning and improve as the day goes on. Although your thumb might lock into a bent position, it may suddenly straighten on its own or with some gentle manipulation. As the thumb straightens, you might hear a clicking or popping noise and experience pain. If you develop a nodule on your tendon, you might see a bump at the base of your thumb. Trigger finger can affect more than one finger and might involve both hands, according to Mayo Clinic.
Risk Factors
Participating in an activity that involves forceful grasping of an object, such as holding ski poles, can increase your risk of developing trigger thumb or finger. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that trigger fingers are more common in women than in men and occur most frequently in people between the ages of 40 and 60. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, tuberculosis or diabetes, you may be more likely to develop the condition.
Treatment
If you have a mild case of trigger finger, your doctor might recommend that you rest the thumb and avoid skiing or other activities that involve gripping objects for several weeks. Wearing a splint will keep your thumb from moving and will help prevent accidental bending during sleep. Soaking your thumb in warm water might help relieve stiffness, while using over-the-counter medications can be effective in relieving pain and swelling. Corticosteroid injections can also be helpful in reducing swelling, in some cases. If you are unable to straighten your finger, your doctor may recommend surgery to enlarge the opening that the tendon passes through.
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