Pacifica Orthopedics, Huntington Beach, California.

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Do You Have Trigger Thumb

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Have you recently been told that you may have trigger thumb or do you suspect that you may have but have not had it properly diagnosed as yet? Trigger thumb is an injury or trauma that does not only affect he thumb but can also affect the ring finger as well as the middle finger on the hand.

Trigger thumb is generally speaking an inflammation of the tendons in the hand. The inflammations usually occur around the base of the finger in the joint at the meeting spot to the hand. The way the fingers and thumb are designed they have a tendon that runs up each side of the digit within a sheath for protection. When there is inflammation of the tendon the sheath becomes restrictive and the tendon can become oversized. This can result in a difficulty of movement and some pain is involved in movement of the affected fingers as well. Tenderness is the most common complaint as well as the finger or thumb becoming fixed in the position of a trigger.

What then occurs is the sufferer will not be able to extend their finger or thumb and they will experience immobility and stiffness in the joint. When the joint is moved by manually making it, there can be a clicking noise which is the tendon snapping of the tendon trying to move through the constricted sheath.

This is a relatively common trauma to those over 40 years of age. This inflammation can be the result of over use and can occur as a result of an earlier arthritic problem. Many tradesmen find that using power tools can have an effect on the development of this condition, or some professional marksmen will also develop it. Whatever the case and whatever the cause it is highly recommended that orthopedic advice be sought for the treatment and management of the condition.

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