The Steel Guitar Forum

I have been diagnosed with trigger finger. That is the condition by which the joint pops into place with a pop and some associated pain when I try to bend it. Actually it is in my left thumb but I also feel signs of it in my right thumb and the finger next to it. I can't hook my thumb over the neck on my guitar. It hasn't effected my steel playing yet but I feel that's on it way. My doctor has me on a 400mg/day of ibuprophen for 30 days and says if that doesn't work then surgery will be needed.

Anyone ever have this condition and gotten over it without surgery?

Hey Jim, I've had that on my little finger of my left hand. I could hardly note my bass or guitar. My doc, gave me a shot it the base of my little finger on the palm side and it worked just fine. I had it done twice and it's been a long time since the last one.You might try that. db

I forgot to mention that my doc is an arthritis doctor. db

What kind of shot did he give you?

I got it while I was painting our mountain cabin.

Strange sensation ain't it ...

It resolved after rest and NSAIDs ...

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<font size=1> Aiello's House of Gauss</font>

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My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield</font>

I've had operations on both hands for bad cases of trigger finger. Took cortisone(sp) shots in both hands. Each shot helped for about a month. Doc said two times each was the limit. Got operated on my left hand first to see what the recoup time was like (I was playing every Fri & Sat night at the time). First operation was on Monday, and I played that following weekend (bar hand). A month later did the right hand, same format, played the next weekend...somewhat subdued, but I'm a somewhat subdued picker anyway! Best thing I ever did for my hands....prior to the ops, I couldn't even get change out of my pockets. I choose general anesesia, ops took about an hour, stitches were out in a couple of weeks....still can't play worth a %$#@....but it gave me a good excuse for a little while. I'll post some pics for you when I get home, if you're interested....

Jim, I have had the same problem for a while,
index finger on left hand,thumb and little finger on right hand.So far it hasn!t effected my playing, but I afraid it might be a matter of time. Max

couple of sites with info: http://www.handsurgery.com/trigger.html http://www.indianahandcenter.com/medical_trigger.html

Jim, I'm not sure what kind of shot it was but I will sure find out for you. db

Jim
Maybe this will help !

Its an injection of corticosteroid .

Also check this out , it might explain it better . http://www.dynomed.com/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/hand_and_wrist/Trigger_Finger.html

Bob

Jim - I had that in both thumbs several years ago. I could feel the knot in the flexor tendon at the base of both thumbs. I got corisone injections from a hand surgeon that lasted about 4-6 weeks then it returned. I received the injections again and it went away (fortunately) and has never returned. Your thumbs are working too hard .

Jim, I have it in my middle finger right hand. I have had 3 shots of cortisone mixed with some kind of deadener. This was over a year and a half time. I just had the third one about a month ago. The doctor is an orthopedic surgeon and said she could make a small incision in the palm and go in and cut something. I am not sure I want to have that done but may have to since it is bothering me again already.
Gere

Kind of odd I ran across this post. I was diagnosed with trigger finger last week. Went ahead and got a shot of cortsone in the palm of my hand, just where the middle finger join's my hand.The shot hurt like everything,I couldn't hardly move my finger the next morning. But within 24 hr's after the shot, it felt 100% better. Ron

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D10 Laquer Derby,SD10 Black Laquer Derby,Peavy Session 2000, Peavy Nashville 1000, Profex II

Jim,

Trigger finger is an inflamation of the tendon causing it to have problems moving in the sheath. Surgery will slit the sheath to facillitate the movement of the tendon and reduce the irritation.

Cortisone injections often work to alleviate that condition. Surgery should be a last resort.

You should also know that diabetics are more prone to trigger finger. Get checked.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by John Fabian on 02 July 2005 at 03:26 PM.]</p></FONT>

Wow what a suprise to see this topic. I woke up Thursday morning with my left little finger like that. Friday morning I woke up with my left thumb locking also. Worried??? you bet. I called my Dr who referred me to a orthpedist who said I had trigger finger. Gotta try the nsaid's first then a shot of cortisone if it still bothers me and surgery as a final resort.

Boy.....guess if I had that problem I could probably get a medical retirement since I may have a need to use the trigger finger sometime

About the injection: Nearly everyone refers to it as cortisone, however, these days most likely it is a mixture of Xylocaine, (similar to the novacaine family the dentist injects ) and the steroidal anti-inflamatory Depomedrol. The Xylocaine should help the pain quickly, the anti-inflamatory might take 48 hrs to work at it`s fullest,relieving pain by reducing inflamation. I obviously have no idea what your Dr. injected, but that`s my guess. It`s usually a short term help, but ethically, you should exhaust all the easiest , less invasive help first. You state this Dr. is an "arthritis Dr." Is that an ortopae surgeon ? Thats who I would see. One who had done a hand fellowship. Hope this helps. Keep us posted.

Two things to keep in mind with a cortisone shot. First, it does NOT heal the injury, it removes the inflammation (i.e. pain). The injury still has to heal and after the shot, you have to be VERY careful not to aggravate the injury or the inflammation will return. This is why the success rate for a cortisone shot is only around 50%, or so I have been told. Second, most doctors will give at most three shots for the same injury (some prefer to limit it to two) because cortisone has the potential to be destructive if over used. A non-traditional treatment option that you might consider before surgery is acupuncture. Several year ago, I had DeQuervain's Tenosynivitis, which is similar to trigger finger, and an excellent acupuncturist and controlled exercise program healed it. On the other hand, I had previously tried a different acupuncturist who didn't help at all. Best of luck to you.

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Jeff's Jazz

My trigger finger affected the index and middle fingers on both hands. The right hand started first, and had been subjected to trama 20 years early, so I thought I was dealing with arthritis setting in. My primary doctor correctly diagnosed the condition and treated me with the shots over the course of a year. After becoming obvious that my fingers were getting worse, I saw a specialist and did the surgery route. If the condition gets too severe fingers may have to be amputated. Here's some pics of my experience. They're graphic, but not as incomfortable as it looks. I didn't have any other options, and I'm very happy with the results. Not trying to gross anyone out, just trying to let you know what to expect. http://community.webshots.com/album/384482214bHkVFP

P.S. I bass fish too, so I had even more incentive to have my hands fixed properly

Hey Jim,
Dave Ristrim here. I had exactly what you are talking about back around 1996. Left thumb, hurt to bend it, trigger! I saw a specialist, suggested by a Dr. friend of mine. The "hand" doctor put me on Voltarin, which is like a super ibuprofin. The pills were 800mg's every 8 hours. I took them for a couple months and the problem went away and never really returned. There is hope.
Dave<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Dave Ristrim on 03 July 2005 at 04:17 PM.]</p></FONT>

Ah yes, good ole trigger finger. I have it real bad in the middle finger of my right hand. I just got an injection last week. It's a little better, but I am still having trouble. I had the injection last December for my little finger on the right hand and have not had a problem since. I was hoping it would do the same for my middle finger. Mine was getting so bad that I would have to soak my hand in warm water while trying to unlock the finger with my other hand. The pain would radiate about half way up my forearm. I might try surgery in a year or so. Unfortunately, mine does affect my playing.

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Carter D10 9p/10k, NV400

I have had 3 fingers on my right hand and 1 in my left pluws both hands carpal tunnel surgically repaired. Now i have another starting on my right hand ring finger. The surgeries was very successful and I play very strong now. Better than i ever had even before this trigger finger started. I always advise to go for the surgery if the cortisone fails. The time to recuperate is adrag but the relief after the healing is sure a great thing. gotta keep picking.......