Mild case of trigger finger

[tap4154]

I occasionally wake up with trigger finger in my right hand index finger. Not from shooting guns, but for the past four decades I've used a cordless drills and sawzalls quite a bit in my work. Usually within a half hour, it goes away. Actually over the years, I try to consciously use my middle finger to pull the trigger instead of my index finger. But lately it's been happening more and more as I wake up.

Just recently been reading about it, and sometimes it's caused if you sleep with your hand fisted. Also that sometimes anti-inflammatories can help. Not sure why I'm posting this, but I think I'm going to try to make a point to myself that before I go to bed I will not ball up my right fist as I sleep. I've read that is very common, and I have a feeling that's what I'm doing.

That may sound strange, but I really believe that sometimes when you declare something like that, it can happen. Just putting it out there, for the rest of you old guys that might be suffering from the same thing

 

[paulblackford]

For me, it's usually a triggered case of middle finger. Seriously, though, as a graphic designer, my middle finger (where it presses the side of my mouse) is now in constant pain. Just the first knuckle joint. I'm trying to hold the mouse differently, but I keep falling back to old habits. I'm trying to keep from using aspirin, or other pain relievers, because I'd rather have a pain in my finger, than destroy my liver.

 

[Dan German]

For me, it's usually a triggered case of middle finger. Seriously, though, as a graphic designer, my middle finger (where it presses the side of my mouse) is now in constant pain. Just the first knuckle joint. I'm trying to hold the mouse differently, but I keep falling back to old habits. I'm trying to keep from using aspirin, or other pain relievers, because I'd rather have a pain in my finger, than destroy my liver.

I’m with ya there.

When I used to be a Window Covering Technician, I had a cordless drill in my hand all day long. It wasn’t my trigger finger that was the issue, though. Doing blinds and draperies, my cordless work was all just above head level. My shoulders and upper arms suffered. And I was young (40s) then!

 

[arlum]

Maybe if you sleep with something in your hand to keep you from making a fist would help.

 

[Tele1966]

I've had trigger finger. My doctor prescribed a splint. He sent me to a specialist that made a custom splint. I wore it at night for a month or two until the trigger finger resolved. A couple of years later the trigger finger returned. I'd saved the splint and again after a month or two it resolved.

 

[kookaburra]

I've had trigger finger. My doctor prescribed a splint. He sent me to a specialist that made a custom splint. I wore it at night for a month or two until the trigger finger resolved. A couple of years later the trigger finger returned. I'd saved the splint and again after a month or two it resolved.

+1.

You also should be able to get braces to do this at a pharmacy.

 

[teletail]

For me, it's usually a triggered case of middle finger. Seriously, though, as a graphic designer, my middle finger (where it presses the side of my mouse) is now in constant pain. Just the first knuckle joint. I'm trying to hold the mouse differently, but I keep falling back to old habits. I'm trying to keep from using aspirin, or other pain relievers, because I'd rather have a pain in my finger, than destroy my liver.

Have you tried using a track ball instead of a mouse? I used to use different mice and track balls so I didn’t always have my hand in the same position.

 

[stxrus]

My left hand ring finger. If I make a fist there is no issue. If I move that one finger it happens. It’s not as bad as it was 6-8 months ago but it is annoying

 

[Boreas]

For those who do not want to use NSAIDS, consider warm Epsom salts soaks - especially when it is particularly symptomatic.

 

[tap4154]

I've had trigger finger. My doctor prescribed a splint. He sent me to a specialist that made a custom splint. I wore it at night for a month or two until the trigger finger resolved. A couple of years later the trigger finger returned. I'd saved the splint and again after a month or two it resolved.

That's a good idea, I did wake up with it again this morning but it's already cleared up. I try to relax it when I'm in bed, but apparently when I go to sleep I must curl it up. Thankfully it doesn't bother me during the day, only first thing in the morning so far.

 

[hdvades]

Retired machinist, mechanic and welder. I have carpel tunnel and multiple digits on both hands suffer from trigger finger. I had surgery for the middle finger on both hands. I unfortunately had a hack for a surgeon and both were unsuccessful. It is painful at times and I have learned to adapt. My PT ordered braces designed for carpel tunnel for both hands. Wear them at night when going to sleep. That helps.
ps...when the finger locks curled up, grab it with your other hand and gently unfurl it.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

I've had real issues last year, with T.F., on my left hand ring finger-locking up when playing guitar, from playing so much guitar (duh!), which is now really my livelihood.

I had to try to learn how to play avoiding my ring finger- kind of impossible! I had to use my other hand to unlock that finger sometimes.
So last year, after seeing my Dr., he referred me to an orthopedic, who gave me a Cortisone shot. It took 3-4 days to 'take' but it worked.

Now, a year later it seems to be coming back. Not so bad in the daytime when doing stuff, but sort of locking up while sleeping

 

[DekeDog]

I have had a few cases of trigger thumb. The doc gave me a cortisone injection that did nothing, but I went to a therapist, and an exercise routine, coupled with heat and ice, got rid of the problem. When it recurred, the exercise routine solved it again.

I often pull on my thumb until I hear/feel a pop in the joint (without the pesky gas expulsion that often occurs when someone else pulls on it, at my request). I think this may offer some relief from the problem.

 

[Mjark]

I occasionally wake up with trigger finger in my right hand index finger. Not from shooting guns, but for the past four decades I've used a cordless drills and sawzalls quite a bit in my work. Usually within a half hour, it goes away. Actually over the years, I try to consciously use my middle finger to pull the trigger instead of my index finger. But lately it's been happening more and more as I wake up.

Just recently been reading about it, and sometimes it's caused if you sleep with your hand fisted. Also that sometimes anti-inflammatories can help. Not sure why I'm posting this, but I think I'm going to try to make a point to myself that before I go to bed I will not ball up my right fist as I sleep. I've read that is very common, and I have a feeling that's what I'm doing.

That may sound strange, but I really believe that sometimes when you declare something like that, it can happen. Just putting it out there, for the rest of you old guys that might be suffering from the same thing

It's an easy in and out surgical procedure to correct. My wife had had two done.

 

[charlie chitlin]

Soak your hand in hot-as-you-can-stand-it water morning and night for about 5 minutes.
Find that little knot at the base of your finger and massage it HARD, so it hurts like f***.
Rub across it so you can feel the individual strands/sinews of the tendon.
You will feel it get smaller.
Over time you can probably get it to go away altogether.
I've had 2 surgeries and got tired of chasing them across my hands.
The one I'm chasing now is in my thumb and it's the worst one yet...but I'm getting it under control with no cutting.
Doctors won't tell you this stuff...they like to cut.

 

[tap4154]

It's an easy in and out surgical procedure to correct. My wife had had two done.

Surgery would be my last resort. At this point if it locks up in the morning I can pop it back straight without using my other hand. Then within 15 minutes to a half-hour it's normal. I ordered some splints and I'm going to try those while sleeping at night, and also some of the other suggestions like hot water and massaging it at the base.

 

[Mjark]

Surgery would be my last resort. At this point if it locks up in the morning I can pop it back straight without using my other hand. Then within 15 minutes to a half-hour it's normal. I ordered some splints and I'm going to try those while sleeping at night, and also some of the other suggestions like hot water and massaging it at the base.

Of course. It does work though. I hope it resolves for you without.

 

[posttoastie]

May be all those years of recommending these instead of the 1/4 turn valves over time.

 

[tap4154]

May be all those years of recommending these instead of the 1/4 turn valves over time.

I hate quarter-turn valves. There was a period uring the late 90s when a whole bunch of them were made with inferior metal stems, and if you just touched the handle they would break and start flooding. It happened to me once up on the 14th floor of a commercial building, and I'm very cautious about turning off quarter-turn valves ever since. Usually I'll go out and turn off the water main before I even touch them. I did have about 9 or 10 of them break after that time, but I had the water main off so there was no flood.

I also have this little tool that makes it super easy to turn off the twist down valves. It's funny, many years ago I was installing a dishwasher in a mobile home, and it happened to be the guy that invented this tool. He looked at the one I bought and it was one of his, but he said China ripped off his design and started making them a lot cheaper.

 

[tap4154]

I received some splints yesterday and slept with one last night. After I took it off this morning, my finger was still popping, but then resolved as usual I'll keep sleeping with it, and keep it on during the day some. I've read that if you immobilize your finger during the night and during the day as much as possible, sometimes the little nodule can resolve itself. We'll see. By the way it's not uncomfortable, it just looks goofy. I've read there's a little clear one (Oval 8) that you can wear that's barely visible.