In an age in which our work usually involves the use of the computer, the mobile phone, and electronic devices, pain in the hand and the fingers has therefore become a health problem met often, particularly the symptom of "locked finger", or what is called in medicine Trigger Finger, which is one of the group of conditions of Office Syndrome. This article will take you to understand locked finger completely, from the causes and the symptoms through to the ways of treating it effectively.
What is locked finger? Understanding a state that office workers should know
Locked finger, or Trigger Finger, is a state in which the finger cannot move normally, with symptoms of catching or locking when one tries to bend or straighten the finger. Sometimes the other hand may have to be used to help pull the finger that is stuck so that it comes back to being straight. This state arises from inflammation of the tendon sheath that wraps the tendon of the muscle used to bend the finger, so that the tendon becomes thickened and cannot move through the tendon sheath smoothly.
The difference between locked finger and general pain in the hand
Many people may confuse the symptoms of locked finger with general pain in the hand or with other conditions related to the hand and the fingers, such as inflammation of the bones of the finger joints, or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The important differences are
- Locked finger has symptoms of catching or locking when the finger is bent or straightened, usually with a "click" sound when the finger comes free from the lock, and usually arises at one particular finger.
- General pain in the hand usually hurts throughout the whole hand, with no symptom of locking or catching.
- Inflammation of the bones of the finger joints hurts in the area of the finger joint, with symptoms of swelling and redness, and the joint may become deformed.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome usually has symptoms of numbness of the hand, pain, or a feeling like an electric shock in the thumb, the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger.
What does locked finger arise from?
The symptoms of locked finger arise from using the hand and the fingers too much for a long time, or from work that requires gripping the hand tightly regularly, which results in inflammation of the tendon sheath in the area of the base of the finger. The groups of people who have the chance of meeting the symptoms of locked finger often are, for example
- The group of office workers, who have to type on the keyboard repeatedly for a long time and hold the mouse in the wrong way
- The group of occupations that have to use the hands a great deal, such as housewives, beauticians, musicians, and athletes
- The group of ordinary people who use the thumb to scroll the screen or type messages on a smartphone repeatedly
What are the symptoms of locked finger?
Observing the symptoms of locked finger from the beginning will help one receive treatment in good time and prevent the symptoms from becoming more severe. The symptoms of locked finger usually show themselves gradually in 4 stages, as follows.
The symptoms of locked finger, stage 1
There is slight pain in the area of the base of the finger on the palm side, and a feeling of discomfort when pressing that area, but there are still no symptoms of catching or locking. Movement of the finger can still be done normally.
The symptoms of locked finger, stage 2
Symptoms of catching or stiffness begin when the finger moves, particularly in the morning or after resting the finger for a long time. A small bump or lump is found at the base of the finger on the palm side. There is more pain when the hand is used for a long time, but the finger does not yet lock and stick.
The symptoms of locked finger, stage 3
Symptoms of locking or sticking arise clearly. The finger may stick in a bent or straightened position, but the other hand can still be used to help push or pull so that the finger comes back to moving. There is usually a "click" sound when the finger comes free from the lock. The pain is clear and interferes with the living of daily life.
The symptoms of locked finger, stage 4
The finger locks and sticks in a bent or straightened position and cannot move, even if the other hand is used to help. The finger joint may begin to become rigid and lose its flexibility. The pain is severe and greatly affects work and the living of daily life.
The treatment and the ways to put right the symptoms of locked finger at each stage
Treating the symptoms of locked finger at each stage will differ according to the severity of the symptoms. The approaches to treatment are as follows.
Treating locked finger at stages 1-2
In the early stages, preliminary treatment can be given by resting the use of the finger with the symptoms, avoiding activities that stimulate the symptoms, applying cold compresses in order to reduce the inflammation, using NSAIDs in order to relieve the pain, and stretching the fingers lightly in order to preserve the flexibility of the finger.
Besides this, treatment can also be given by methods of rehabilitation medicine from specialist physicians, such as Dry Needling in order to reduce the tightness and the pain in the area of the muscles of the arm and the hand; carrying out Shock Wave Therapy of the focused shock wave kind in order to stimulate the restoration of the tissue in the area of the tendon; treatment with electromagnetic waves in order to relieve the pain and reduce the inflammation; the use of high-energy laser light in order to hasten the restoration of the tissue; and the use of a finger splint alongside doing physiotherapy in order to restore the working of the finger.
Treating locked finger at stages 3-4
In these later stages, treatment can first be given as in the early stages. If it still does not improve, treatment with an injection of steroid may then be considered in order to reduce the inflammation. And if the finger locks until it sticks and cannot move, the doctor will consider sending the patient for surgery, because injecting medicine often may make the tendon become brittle and tear. After surgery, physiotherapy should be done continuously in order to prevent it from recurring again in the future.
The ways to prevent the symptoms of locked finger
For office workers or those who have to use the hand and the fingers repeatedly for a long time, preventing locked finger is considered an important thing that should not be overlooked, because besides helping preserve the health of the hand and the fingers, it also helps you avoid the pain that may arise in the future.
- Adjust the posture of working: place the hands on the keyboard with the wrists straight, use a wrist rest, and hold the mouse with suitable force without gripping too tightly
- Rest the hands regularly by resting the use of the hands every 30-60 minutes, at least 5 minutes, and avoid using the hands in the same posture for longer than 2 hours continuously
- Do hand exercises regularly by gripping the hand and releasing, touching the thumb to the tip of each finger, stretching the wrist, and drawing a circle with the thumb, 5-10 times a day
- Use equipment that helps reduce the pressure, such as choosing to use an ergonomic keyboard and mouse, and a pen grip that is large or has a soft rubber grip
In summary
The symptoms of locked finger are another condition met often at the present time, particularly among office workers or those who have to use the hand and the fingers repeatedly for a long time. Understanding and observing what locked finger arises from according to its various stages in oneself will help one receive correction and treatment in good time.
For those who have the symptoms of locked finger, you may consult the doctors and receive treatment by the team of specialist physicians at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic, a clinic specialising in medical practice in the field of rehabilitation medicine, ready to care for every kind of pain. Those who are interested may contact us from today.