Trigger finger

Tony Palmer · From: St Augustine,FL

I've been noticing my right hand ring finger "clicking" when I straighten it out after having it tucked under while picking. At first it was an annoyance, but now it's starting to moderately hurt.
Told some friends about it and right away they said, oh you've got trigger finger.
Followed up with an orthopedic dr. and he gave me a brace to wear at night but I don't think it's going to improve.
I suppose a cortisone shot is the next step with surgery being the last resort (no way!)
Anyone else have this?
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Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Tony, I've had two trigger finger surgeries. One on my index finger, picking hand, and the other on the thumb of my bar hand, about two years later. One doctor said it was due to many years of guitar playing. But the hand surgeon said it had more to do with aging. Like you said, it's a nuisence for a few months and then it gets very painful. The surgery itself is not bad, nothing to worry about. After the procedure there will be a little bit of swelling and you'll have to take it easy for a week or so and then do some minor physical therapy. You'll be back to picking in a couple of weeks.

In both cases I had cortisone shots. The first time the cortisone worked for about 8 months, then the triggering came back. In the second case, I had a cortisone shot and it did absolutely nothing. By that time the pain was so bad I was happy to have the surgery.
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Ronald Sikes · From: Corsicana, Tx

Tony , I had about 4 years ago. I got the shot and much too my surprise it went away. Hasn't bothered me since. It's worth a try.
Ron
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mtulbert · From: Plano, Texas 75023

Tony,

What Ron S said. The cortisone shot worked great and mine never did return either.
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Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I have had trigger finger in my right middle finger since 2003. Screws up my sign language. But seriously, I went through the shots, and a surgery. Didn't help for very long. Mine is worse when I wake up in the morning or from a nap. I have to sqeeze my knuckle to release it. Hurts a little. It takes maybe an hour to where it stops locking up.
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Kevin Mincke · From: Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA

I had tendinitis in my right thumb for sometime on several occasions and have had success with cortisone shots. The ortho surgeon said if it lasts 8-10 months we can keep doing it, otherwise next step is surgery. The tendon becomes inflamed and doesn't move through the sheath and is unable to retract properly because of the inflammation.

Dave Hepworth · From: West Yorkshire, UK

Hi there Tony,
Have had trigger finger in left middle.Opted for a couple of cortisone shots and it has gone away now for over 2 years.
Keep it simple and try the shots first rather than surgery .
Regards Dave

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I have one on my left hand. Probably due to age mostly (I'm 79). I had a cortisone shot and that helped for about a month.

Tony Palmer · From: St Augustine,FL

Thanks for the replies. I had no idea it was that common.
Although I admit I was hoping to hear someone had "fixed" it by wearing the brace at night. Maybe the dr knows it won't work and that's his way to get the patient to continue on with treatment. Well at least it's not a picking finger...shots here I come 🙄
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Rick Barnhart · From: Arizona, USA

I've heard that trigger finger is a trait most common among those of Norse or Nordic heritage. Having a couple of friends afflicted with it, I've long had a underlying fear of developing it, 'cause I'm sure it wouldn't improve my meager musical endeavors. So far, so good...if true, it's apparent that no Vikings have ever pillaged our family tree.
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Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

gary pierce · From: Rossville TN

My right middle finger would lock closed, and I had to pop it open with my other hand. It was very painful, especially playing dobro, so I did the shots twice, and after a few years it does not lock, but will not close all the way.
Rick, I think my heritage is Scandinavian.

Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

I had it in both thumbs- got a cortisone shot twice and have never had it recur.

Fred Treece · From: California, USA

Trigger finger or finger lock is the result of inflammation of the flexor tendons in the fingers. For musicians, it is likely that the inflammation is caused by tension and repetitive stress. I doubt that Nordic lineage has much to do with it Confused

I have had every kind of wrist and finger malady imaginable, and it is tough to deal with, but I do multiple things for it every day. I make sure I don't overdo practice time, take a multi-vitamin with a ton of B-12 in it, use ice packs after practice or hard day of work in the shop, take an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen periodically, drink lots of water, and try to keep a diet that is good for blood circulation.

The main thing for treatment of acute symptoms, and the hardest thing for me, is rest. Just gotta stop doing what causes it, at least for a few days, and maybe as much as 2 or 3 weeks. And then gradually start getting back to normal time allotment for practice with frequent breaks, about every 15 minutes.

Keeping the joints in the hands, neck, shoulder, and spine loose with yoga or other stretching goes a long way toward prevention too. Simple flexion and extension exercises of the fingers and rolling the tension out of the shoulders during a short break between songs on a gig should keep the tendons loosened up enough to keep from locking.

Sorry to go on and on here. I am not a doctor, but I have been through this and did not do surgery or shots. The problem will likely return anyway if the habits that caused it are not changed.

Good luck!

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