MLP medical unit consult please - trigger finger

My left f/u finger is giving me fits. Thought it might pass, but it's hanging on. Been wrapping it at night so I don't sleep with it in the wrong position. Thinking I'm gonna have to go see my guy.
Any advice? exercises? heat/cold? go get the shot? I'm already on Meloxicam. Need to get off. Been too long.
Really not down with the surgery idea just yet.

Did a search earlier. (didn't want some old guy to say "dude, use the search" )
Reads like @pnuggett is the resident expert.
Was surprised to read in 2016 I posted in the thread about having it. I'd forgotten. I remember now and it did go away back then.

Any MLP docs with a miracle cure?

Hurt? Spaz out? What is it doing....

I am a rice sock fan for stuff.... Nuke it for a couple minutes and grasp it for a bit or lay on top of hand... Just off the top of my head... I have wrist pain (both, maybe from my neck injury) pretty much 24/7 and sometimes use it for that. Bengay at times it gets really loud...

Another idea (I've tried all kinds of stuff for wrists) may work for that is one of the carpal tunnel wrist braces with the curved metal insert and velcro. Fingers follow the curve and may keep it somewhat immobile. There is always the tan medical tape that only sticks to itself (blood draw, cottom pad, brown (usually) elastic tape (coarse stretchy fabric no stick to anything but itself) around arm and pad... THAT tape. I keep rolls of that stuff in different widths for 'stupid human tricks' to hold gauze and such in place.... Tape two fingers together...

edro said:

What is it doing....

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sticking / clicking

I did some reading.... Inflammation of tendons probably. Immobilization and anti-inflammatory meds (naproxen, Ibuprofen)

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7080-trigger-finger

So this is a symptom of arthritis in the fingers/ hand joints?

Typically, advil or motrin to reduce pain and swelling.
Ice or heat to help ease inflammation. (personally I've found ice more effective)
If its really annoying a doc could inject steroids or other things.
Worst case...surgery.

I've been told that knitting (yes with needles and a ball of wool) is actually really good for relieving arthritis in hands. If you start now you can have a nice scarf and mittens ready by Christmas time!
Best of luck!

Go get a shot in it.

I took a shot in mine about 5 years ago. Now my pinkie finger on my left hand is giving me fits .. a Shot is the only solution for me … go get it done chicken you will be glad you did ……chicken

I had jumpers knee in both knees some years back.... Cortisone shot in each fixed me right up....

Any good Acupuncturists in your city? I have severe arthritis and it's the worst it's been in years. One hand was nearly useless. Every move in a few directions was a new level of pain. I hadn't been to my Acupuncturist is a while, normally I go regularly, but I had a reason to do otherwise. Had a 4 PM appointment one day recently. Woke up the next day with my pain level reduced by at least 75% and functionality vastly improved.

Acupuncture is the real deal. I have seen the results myself, and I know multiple people that have had vast life improvements through it.

Wifey got three shots, one week apart, in her right knee for similar issues, and other problems. Hurt like fuck.

She's been good for over 6 months already.

FWIW

I posted a thread about this last year. I had it really bad in both my index and pinky fretting fingers. Got the cortisone shots in both tendons; pinky came fully back, but my index finger didn't recover. At the first visit the Dr. said, just give a day or two of rest and go back playing. So I did and my index finger got just as bad as before the first shot.

Went back to the Dr in December....got another shot and the Dr. said if this didn't work, then it was surgery time.

But this time, I had realized, that it wasn't my knuckle (though that felt like the problem), but the tendon in the upper palm of my hand. I analyzed my playing and realized that over time that I had let my sitting posture get out of whack and developed terrible hand posture by letting the neck sit all the way digging down into the upper palm of my head.

After the 2nd shot, I fixed my back and hand posture and it all healed up. It's been over half year, and I frequently check my posture, and I'm all good now.

Might not be your problem...but make sure that you check your posture and see if you developed bad hand posture over time.

My advice, get the shot(s), check your posture and take it easy on putting much pressure on your upper palms for awhile. The shots are quick, cheap and relatively painless (just odd for a couple of seconds when they jam it in there).

I have several of them and just live with it. I have to "Pop" them several times a day but I don't really care.

When I do care is because one is very inflamed and I'm guessing that's what you are going through right now. I will keep it splinted while I'm asleep and use an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen around the clock until the swelling subsides and it's liveable again.

Most people say they get the surgery. My other medical expenses are too high as it is so any surgery I don't absolutely need is just not going to get done.

My ortho for my jumpers knee hit my knees with freeze spray and I finally told him to go ahead and stick my knees, I'm ready......... He laughed and said 'I'm done'.... Freeze spray is da cheeze for cortisone shots where they have to hit different areas....

Roxy13 said:

I have several of them and just live with it. I have to "Pop" them several times a day but I don't really care.

When I do care is because one is very inflamed and I'm guessing that's what you are going through right now. I will keep it splinted while I'm asleep and use an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen around the clock until the swelling subsides and it's liveable again.

Most people say they get the surgery. My other medical expenses are too high as it is so any surgery I don't absolutely need is just not going to get done.

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I took 4 shots over a 18 month period. Doctor said if 3rd one didn't permanently resolve the trigger in my thumb then it's surgery time. Well I talked him into a 4th shot and that was 8 years ago. Been good ever since. First 3 shots lasted roughly 6 months.

Anybody getting the cortisone injections, ASK doc for the freeze spray. You won't feel a thing.

I have no issue with needles, received and later gave myself allergy shots for years and years... Cortisone shots sometimes require moving the needle around which is not a relaxing feeling... Freeze spray induces localized shock to the point you don't feel nuttin.... Keeps you from tensing up or moving, making it more difficult.

My wife had surgery for the trigger finger malady. It was quick and the recovery was smooth. She’s had no problems with it since.

Acupuncture is a sound idea. Thanks. I've been lazy with the ice. Need to do that.
Agree I need the shot. "I gotta guy", really good pain doc. My favorite doc. He used to stick me in the back regularly in the early days of losing my back. I know the drill there. I'll call him.
Thanks

edro said:

I had jumpers knee in both knees some years back....

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you set us up like this then get mad when we take the bait.


it's on you sir.

thetalonguy said:

realized that over time that I had let my sitting posture get out of whack

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This rings true with me. Similar to this, I'm at that stage in life where most major injuries are caused by sleeping wrong. I have to put thought into adjusting myself before I go to sleep to prevent several maladies. I'm convinced this is the cause. I've been taping it every night. Tried the splint, didn't like it.
Advice from me:
Stumbled across this and it's the ticket:

This is the stretchy stuff they wrap over the cotton that adheres to itself when you get a blood draw. It's perfect. Easy, no muss, no fuss. Immobilize the joint and it totally eliminates the issue. I'm just tired of walking around with my finger wrapped up.

Olds442 said:

you set us up like this then get mad when we take the bait.


it's on you sir.

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It's evident Dave's not up yet.