HAND THERAPY TREATMENT

TRIGGER FINGER TREATMENT SYDNEY

Conveniently located throughout Sydney.

No Referral Needed

If you have a little swelling in the knuckles or an inability to fully bend the fingers or fully straighten them, you’ve come to the right place

REFERRAL

•Within 1 weel

IMAGING

Suggestion: Ultrasound

MANAGEMENT

Thermoplastic Trigger finger water proof orthosis. 6 week splinting with gradual tendon re-education program through AROM

WHAT IS TRIGGER FINGER?

Trigger finger is a common hand condition characterised by symptoms including clicking, locking or pain in the affected finger. It is seen in about two to three percent of the general population and can be very common in diabetic patients, pregnancy, rowing and repetitive gripping activities. Therefore, trigger finger makes up a significant proportion of our hand therapy patients. Trigger finger is where the flexor (bending) tendons get caught in their sheath or pulley as they try to straighten. This presents as pain, then clicking and in severe cases locking or “triggering”. The exact cause of trigger finger is widely debated and still relatively unknown.

DIAGNOSING TRIGGER FINGER

Trigger finger will start as just a little swelling or an inability to fully bend the fingers or fully straighten them. This is because swelling starts to settle in the knuckles of the fingers around the A1 or first pulley in the hand. The knuckles need to be stable and in some cases especially repetitive gripping a person might lose this stability and then become swollen and develop a trigger finger. The sooner your trigger finger is diagnosed the less likelihood there is for complications. Seeking early hand therapy assessment and advice may be helpful. Trigger finger will change from just a swelling to a clicking and then a locking in many patients. The sooner you are assessed and diagnosed by a Hand Therapist at Action Rehab The Hands Physio then hopefully the less complications there are.

Call us on (02) 9743 4672 for an appointment, or schedule an appointment online by clicking the button below.

TRIGGER FINGER & PREGNANCY

Trigger finger can occur during or after pregnancy. This is commonly associated with swelling that can settle in the hands later in pregnancy or it could be due to damage (scarring) of the tendons that might have occurred after the birth of the baby. Trigger finger during pregnancy can be annoying and painful.

Our team of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists possesses in-depth knowledge and experience in evaluating, diagnosing, treating, and managing injuries or conditions related to your hand and upper extremity—encompassing your shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand—ensuring that you are well cared for.

At Action Rehab The Hands Physio, our hand therapists are skilled in assessing and treating mallet finger injuries.

Get on the road to recovery, so you can do the things you love.

View the video below to learn more about what causes trigger finger in pregnancy and how Action Rehab The Hands Physio protects the trigger and stops it from getting more inflamed. As explained by Action Rehab founder Ben Cunningham.

TRIGGER FINGER TREATMENT

Trigger finger treatment and management is really simple. Generally the hand therapist at Action Rehab will establish the cause of your trigger finger and then provide you with a small water resistant ring brace. This brace is small and functional and protects the knuckle of your trigger finger. Once you have settled the symptoms of trigger finger in the brace then the Action Rehab hand therapist will advise you on a stretching and strengthening program that may prevent the trigger finger from recurrence.

Generally no Trigger Finger should not require surgery. At Action Rehab The Hands Physio your Hand Therapist, Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist will assess and treat your symptoms. This will minimise the need for surgery.

A delay in seeking hand therapy treatment may result in more complications and a loss of function.

Fig 1: Basic Treatment

A metal splint being used to treat a finger trigger injury. It does not allow a full range of motion, nor does it protect the trigger.

Fig 2: Action Rehab Treatment

An anti-swan neck splint is being correctly used to treat a tendon mallet finger injury. It shortens the oblique retinaculum ligament allowing the terminal extensor tendon to move back up the finger to heal.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT NOW

The Hands Physio provides assessment and treatment for all conditions relating to the upper limb, including mallet finger. Visit our highly qualified and friendly therapists today at a location convenient to you.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT THERAPIST FOR TRIGGER FINGER

It is important when you have trigger finger that you choose Action Rehab The Hands Physio for your treatment. Therapists at Action Rehab The Hands Physio are experienced in the assessment and treatment of trigger finger.

Your Action Rehab therapist will not suggest a steroid injection unless it is clinically appropriate to do so and it will be in conjunction with a splinting, stretching and stabilisation program not just an injection in isolation.

This is why it is important to see a Hand Therapist at Action Rehab The Hands Physio for your trigger finger.

Known for providing treatment for trigger finger and other hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries, Action Rehab The Hands Physio are the hand therapists that Sydney trusts.

TRIGGER FINGER FAQS

How common is trigger finger?

Trigger finger is very common and can occur in up to 50% of rowers, 10% of pregnancies and 3-4% of the general population. It is one of the most common conditions seen at Action Rehab.

How is trigger finger caused?

Trigger finger can be caused by repetitive gripping such as rowing or by swelling in the case of pregnancy or it can also be caused by diabetes.

How long does it take to recover?

It can take a long time to recover from Trigger Finger. It is really important to seek treatment early and not wait for the locking because the sooner it is prevented from locking then the sooner it improves.

Will it require surgery?

Generally Trigger Finger does not require surgery. However if the finger is locking and treatment is not having the desired effect then your Hand Therapist at Action Rehab will be able to refer you to the appropriate surgeon to have it treated.

Is it a serious condition?

Yes. It is very debilitating when your Trigger Finger gets stuck in your palm and in extreme cases it can get stuck and not straighten so early assessment by a Hand Therapist is a good idea.

Will a mallet finger go away if left untreated?

No, if it is untreated it will deteriorate and get worse so seek early treatment for your Trigger Finger from a Hand Therapist at Action Rehab.