Doing certain stretches and exercises can make trigger finger feel better. You need to keep doing these exercises to see real improvements.
Trigger finger shows itself with pain, a bump on your finger’s base, and it can be hard to move. You might also feel that your finger is hot, stiff, or that it clicks when you move it. Start with simple movements and go slow, then build up.
You can do these exercises at home with something as common as an elastic band. It’s suggested you do them every day for 10-15 minutes, getting longer as your hand gets stronger. If your fingers hurt, stop and rest them.
Understanding Trigger Finger and Its Common Symptoms
Trigger finger is a problem with hand tendons. It leads to pain and can make your finger click, lock, or move less. Usually, you’ll notice your finger swelling, feeling tender, or having a bump at the bottom. It might also feel warm, stiff, and make a click when you bend it.
Sometimes, it doesn’t affect only one finger. This issue may hurt more in the morning or when you use your hand a lot. Knowing these signs can help you get the right help to feel better.
The Role of Hand Anatomy in Trigger Finger
Trigger finger impacts the tendons in the hand, especially the flexor tendons for finger movement. These tendons go through the tendon sheath. When this sheath gets inflamed and narrow, the tendon can catch or lock. This makes bending or straightening the finger hard.
It’s important to know the hand’s anatomy to spot and deal with trigger finger. The hand has bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. In trigger finger, we look at how tendons help move our fingers.
The flexor tendons, found on the palm side, move the fingers. They link forearm muscles to hand bones and let us bend our fingers. When these tendons get irritated and swollen, the finger can’t move well.
The tendon sheath acts as a cover for the flexor tendons. It makes a smooth path for them to move as we use our fingers. But in trigger finger, this sheath might get tight. This causes the tendon to not slide smoothly, making movement hard.
Such problems can make the tendon catch, pop, or lock. This is why some people feel their finger click or snap with trigger finger.
Commencing Trigger Finger Therapy at Home
Trigger finger therapy at home begins with learning and doing specific exercises. They aim to lessen symptoms and help move your fingers better. You need simple tools like an elastic band, and can use small things like coins or pens too.
Start with 10 to 15 minutes each day for these exercises. Over time, you should do them more often as you get stronger. Doing them the right way and keeping at it is crucial for the best outcome.
Learning the right way to do these exercises is key to healing. One useful exercise is the finger tendon glide. You gently move the finger that’s affected forward and back. This motion stretches the tendons, making your finger more flexible.
Using an elastic band for resistance is another good move. Put the band around your fingers. Then, try to spread them apart. This action builds up finger muscles and tendons.
Stretching your fingers can also help a lot. Bend and straighten your finger gently, pausing for a few seconds in each position. This stretch works the tendons and boosts your finger’s movement.
Always, start off easy and pay attention to how your body feels. Stop if you feel any pain or discomfort. Talk to a doctor if you’re not sure. With regular practice and the right approach, you can make your finger feel better and move more easily.
Trigger Finger Exercises for Flexibility and Strength
When handling trigger finger issues and wanting better finger movement, some targeted exercises can work wonders. They focus on making your fingers more flexible and stronger. Key exercises include finger extensor stretch, finger abduction exercise, and finger spread exercise. These can build finger flexibility and power.
The finger extensor stretch starts by straightening your fingers out. Hold this position for a little bit. It targets the finger extensor muscles and boosts flexibility.
Finger abduction is another helpful move. Here, you spread your fingers as far as they can go, then relax. It works on the finger abductor muscles, making fingers more flexible.
Finger spread exercise involves putting your hand palm-down on a smooth surface. Then spread your fingers widely. This one’s great for improving finger flexibility and strength.
Make sure you do these exercises the right way. Follow the suggested number of reps and sets. As you get stronger, you can make the exercises a bit harder. This will keep making your fingers more flexible and stronger.
Keep up with these exercises regularly. They will improve how flexible and strong your fingers are. Doing these daily can help with trigger finger symptoms, easing your discomfort.
Trigger Finger Stretching Exercises for Pain Relief
Stretching is a great way to ease trigger finger pain and symptoms. These exercises focus on the finger and hand. They boost flexibility, lower stiffness, and ease pain. Doing them regularly makes your fingers more mobile.
A simple exercise for trigger finger is finger and hand stretches. Stretch your arm in front of you. Then, spread your fingers wide. Hold for a bit and let go. Do this for each finger and the whole hand. It stretches out the muscles and tendons, easing tightness and adding flexibility.
Another good exercise is finger and hand openers. Put your hand flat on a table. Then, gently move it back and forth, opening and closing your fingers. Do this for a short while, then rest. It works to make your fingers less stiff and more mobile.
Remember to do these exercises correctly and see how your body reacts. Start with a few times and sets, then add more as you can. Never push yourself too hard. Stop if you feel pain and talk to a doctor.
Advanced Exercise Recommendations from Surrey Physio
Surrey Physio is a top expert in trigger finger therapy. They provide advanced exercises to help deal with trigger finger. These exercises work to make the affected finger more flexible and strong.
One important exercise is the sore finger extension exercise. It aims to boost finger movement and cut down on pain. Extend the sore finger as far as you can go, but stop if it hurts. Hold it there for a bit, then let go. Do this several times as advised by your physio.
Another key exercise is the finger pain exercise. It works on finger power and pain. To start, grab a stress ball or foam ball. Squeeze it hard and then let go. Again, do this as you were told by your Surrey Physio.
There’s also the assisted finger extension exercise. It helps your finger’s tendons move better and get more flexible. With one hand, gently help your sore finger to straighten. Hold it straight a bit, then relax. Remember to follow your physio’s advice on how many times to do this.
Always do these advanced exercises correctly and gently. Stick to the numbers your physio gives you for repetitions and sets. Following these steps can speed up your recovery from trigger finger.
Add these advanced exercises to your usual therapy for a full treatment plan. But first, always talk to a healthcare professional or a physiotherapist. They will guide you on the best exercise plans for your trigger finger.
Splinting and Rest: Complementary Approaches to Exercise
Alongside trigger finger exercises, splinting and rest are key for treatment and recovery. Splinting supports the finger and stops movement, which can lower swelling and speed up healing. Rest gives the finger time to heal and regain its function. Knowing the benefits of both helps manage trigger finger.
Splinting means using a finger splint to keep the finger still. These splints give support and prevent the finger from worsening. They work well when the finger hurts more or when using it makes the pain worse. With the finger held still, there’s less stress on the tendon, which helps it heal right.
Rest is also crucial for recovery from trigger finger. It lets the tendon get better, which lowers pain and swelling. Not doing activities that make it hurt more is vital. So, avoid gripping things tightly or using that finger too much.
By doing exercises and using splints and resting, recovery from trigger finger improves. Splinting cuts down on swelling, while rest lets the finger heal. Always listen to what your health pro says about using splints and taking breaks.
Professional Care and When to Involve a Specialist
Trigger finger exercises can help, but sometimes, you need a specialist. They know the best ways to diagnose and help you. It’s crucial to spot the signs and know when to get expert advice.
Specialists in trigger finger are key. They understand the problem deeply and can suggest various solutions for worse cases.
If your finger gets worse and affects your daily life, seeing a specialist might be the next step. This could be an orthopaedic or hand surgeon, or a rheumatologist.
Specialists offer several treatments, including:
- Medications: They might give you drugs like NSAIDs to cut down swelling and pain.
- Injections: Shots of corticosteroids can help improve your finger’s movement.
- Surgery: For severe cases, surgery can free the tendon sheath to enhance finger use. They might suggest this when nothing else works.
It’s important to know when you need professional help for your trigger finger. If it’s getting worse or limiting you, reach out to a specialist. They can tailor a treatment plan just for you.
Conclusion
Doing exercises and therapy can help with trigger finger. These methods can lessen pain, make your finger move better, and boost flexibility. It’s important to keep up with the exercises at home.
For more serious cases, seeing a trigger finger expert is best. They might suggest shots or surgery for harder situations. Knowing when to get expert advice is key to getting better.
To deal with trigger finger well, it’s good to exercise your finger regularly. Also, learn the right way to do these exercises. And, know when it’s time to ask for expert help.
Following these steps, people can handle and get over trigger finger. This way, they can enjoy normal life without as much discomfort.
FAQs
What are trigger finger exercises?
Trigger finger exercises are specific moves to reduce symptoms and boost your finger’s flexibility. It’s key to do these regularly.
What are the common symptoms of trigger finger?
Signs you might have trigger finger are pain, tenderness, and stiffness. You might feel a click when you move your finger. A small bump might form at its base too.
How does trigger finger affect the tendons in the hand?
Trigger finger mainly targets hand tendons. It happens when a sheath around the tendon swells. This makes the tendon catch or lock, making movement hard.
When should professional care be sought for trigger finger?
See a specialist if your symptoms don’t go away or are severe. They can suggest injections or surgery if needed.