SeniorJournal.org - Finger Problems

Seniors Finger Problems - Trigger Finger

My Experience With Trigger Finger - E.F. Male Age: 83

Over the past ten years, I have had three fingers operated on for trigger finger, as well cortisone injections to reduce pain and inflammation in other fingers. The fingers I have had a problem with are my thumbs and middle fingers.

Trigger Finger Symptoms:

clicking, or popping, or snapping when the finger is bent
pain (in addition to the above)
inflammation of finger (sometimes)

Possible causes for my finger problems.

daily card games (shuffling cards)
playing the piano
trimming shrubs with nippers

My first trigger finger surgery was performed on my left thumb in the doctors office. However, they no longer perform the procedure in the office, it is now a bigger deal done in an operating room. The next surgery was for my right thumb, then my left middle finger.

Prior to the surgery there are many pre-surgery instructions to read, health history to fill out and submit, pretty much the same routine you go through for any other surgery. The surgery itself wasn't bad. As I remember I was given a local anesthetic administered through an IV to keep the hand numb.

There is some post surgery pain (nothing unmanageable) but also relief from the pain you were feeling prior to surgery. After the surgery you have to move your finger throughout the day to prevent the finger from becoming locked into one position.

Recovery can take awhile, and your fingers will still be prone to pain if you over do it. I have to avoid card shuffling as that causes my fingers to become painful. I purchased a card shuffling machine and that allows me to play cards without causing finger pain.

I also had pain in my right middle finger and had several cortisone shots in it. The shots helped the pain for several weeks but it always came back. I found that wrapping my finger with horse wrap (self-sticking gauze wrap) at night often made my finger feel substantially better by morning. By wrapping my finger when I have pain, and avoiding certain repetitive actions, I have avoided having to have surgery on that finger.

Conclusion

I have found that the clicking and popping associated with trigger finger is harder to live with than the pain that comes along with it. Fortunately, the surgery is relatively easy. After your finger is healed from surgery, you might find that certain activities will cause pain in the affected finger.