Trigger finger affects about 200,000 Americans every year. Count me in as one of them! It occurs when the tunnel sheath that allows the tendons of each finger to pass becomes inflamed. The tendons go through but “catch”. The finger, or thumb in my instance, becomes stuck in a bent position. At the extreme, you have to use your other hand to unstick your thumb. I thought it had something to do with the skiing thumb injury I had last year on the same thumb, but my orthopedic surgeon quickly poo poo’ed my theory. As they have done my entire career. He informed me that underlying conditions like gout, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis was more likely. But mostly there’s no reason at all. It’s just a thing that happens.

Happily for hand surgeons, it happens a lot.

First line treatment is a steroid injection which I had a little over a week ago. Then one can dissect the tendon sheath with local anesthetic and a thin needle or go straight to the Grand Poobah, percutaneous release. The surgeon, under sedation and regional block, incises and cuts the tendon sheath. 99% positive results.

I’ve had some improvement with the steroid injection. I’m taking a little ibuprofen here and there 800 mg just to see if I can tip it over the edge.