Trigger Finger: What you need to know before leaving it untreated

If you have trigger finger but it doesn't hurt, I would think about leaving it for a while and seeing how it goes.

By the way, will it get better if I leave it alone? Is there any risk of it leaving behind any after-effects?

In this article, you'll learn three things:

• Spontaneous recovery is possible, but there are risks.
• Symptoms similar to trigger finger
• There is also a type of trigger finger that does not require injections or surgery.

Although spontaneous recovery may occur, there are risks.

There are cases where the condition will go away if you leave it alone. When I had trigger finger, I left it alone and it went away. If it's simple tendonitis, stretching can sometimes help alleviate it.

However, if you leave your fingers bent, they may become fixed in that position and you may not be able to straighten them. Joints, not just fingers, have the tendency to remember that state when they are fixed in place.

If you have trigger finger, don't judge it yourself, but get a diagnosis. It's true that going to the hospital may lead to unnecessary surgery being recommended. However, there are also symptoms that resemble trigger finger but have completely different causes and require surgery. This is something that only a doctor can do, such as using an ultrasound.

Find a doctor you can trust and consult with them until you are satisfied that you really do have trigger finger.

Symptoms similar to trigger finger

What are some conditions that are similar to trigger finger but have completely different causes and require surgery?

I will explain each one.

Boxer's Knuckles

It is said to occur when a boxer hits the opponent's jaw, causing damage to the jawbone, extensor tendons of the fingers, and joint capsule. It can also occur in non-boxers when hitting something hard.
This is a condition in which the extensor tendons shift from their natural position when you try to make a fist, causing pain, inflammation, and swelling in the joint.
Not only is the sagittal cord, which guides the tendon to prevent it from slipping, torn, but the joint capsule underneath is also torn, so the extensor tendon is completely dislocated.

Extensor tendon dislocation

It is similar to a boxer's knuckle. The sagittal cord, which guides the tendons, is damaged, but the underlying joint capsule is intact.

When you make a fist, the sagittal cord, which guides the tendon, is unable to secure the tendon in place, causing the extensor tendon to become dislocated.

Trigger wrist (wrist spring phenomenon)

When bending the wrist, the bundles of tendons necessary for bending and straightening become important. The bundles of tendons (the superficial flexor tendon and the deep flexor tendon) that pass under the wrist ligaments run in a tunnel together with nerves and blood vessels.
When the tendon thickens due to inflammation, the flexor tendon cannot pass smoothly through the tunnel, causing a snapping phenomenon when bending and straightening the tendon.
Although it may look like trigger finger, it is actually a condition in which swelling in the wrist is affecting the movement of the finger.

There is also a type of trigger finger that does not require injections or surgery.

If it turns out to be pure trigger finger, treatment with injections will be considered. However, if the injections are administered too frequently, it can damage the tendon, so surgery may be recommended.

However, there are cases of trigger finger that do not require surgery, and these are caused by muscle problems.

There are many muscles involved in finger movement, including those in the arms, shoulders, and shoulder blades, which are close to the hands. These muscles may be tense.

Sometimes the cause may be in a more distant area such as the lower back or abdomen.

In our treatments, there are cases where trigger finger improves without touching the hand.

In addition to trigger finger, numbness and pain in the hand can often be found hidden in the lower body. This is not just a problem in Japan, but is also true for people in other countries with different environments and physiques.

If your trigger finger won't heal easily, it's a good idea to change your perspective and see if there's a problem somewhere else besides your finger.

Important things

• Even if you think you have trigger finger, don't judge it yourself
• If your trigger finger doesn't improve, see a doctor
• If surgery is recommended, keep in mind that trigger finger may not be caused by the finger itself.