Trigger Thumb Again!

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

2 years ago I posted about having trigger thumb on my left hand. I got cortisone injections twice but they didn't work so I had surgery last year. Now the right thumb is doing the same thing. Has anyone had it in more than one finger/hand or am I just special?

[Chap7 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Chap7]

My daughter had surgery for trigger thumb on one hand at 4 and then on the other at 6. I'd say you're both special!

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

My daughter had surgery for trigger thumb on one hand at 4 and then on the other at 6. I'd say you're both special!

Wow, I didn't know it affected children. I thought the main cause was from wear & tear and mostly affected the more mature.

[Jya-Ning Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Jya-Ning]

BIL has the same situation. I believe he has 3 fingers. cortisone seems working at least now.

Jya-Ning

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

DH has had two incidents....no surgery....just time helped him...not completely cured, but not triggering as it first did.

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

DH has had two incidents....no surgery....just time helped him...not completely cured, but not triggering as it first did.

My first one just got worse as time went by. I expect the right thumb will do the same. The cortisone shots helped for a few months but then it returned. Your DH is lucky.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

My first one just got worse as time went by. I expect the right thumb will do the same. The cortisone shots helped for a few months but then it returned. Your DH is lucky.

I know he is very lucky. I am so sorry you have had this, not once but twice. One of the things that he did was to use infrared massage several times a week and, of course, reduce risky hand movements...such as using tools or using his hands in a way that might reinjure the fingers. The first finger was a result of an injury, when he fell and the item he was holding banged into the palm. The second one, I think, was from using his hand instead of a hammer....he knows not to do that one again. He has a real aversion to anything that might involve cortisone shots, so he does all he can now to be extra cautious and use what he knows has helped him.

My sister, OTH, had to have her thumb reconstructed when she had some thumb problems.

I hope your healing will be quick and you have great success with the treatment plan.

[Blues Traveler Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Blues Traveler]

Just wondering what the definition of a "Trigger Thumb" is. I've been having some trouble with one of my thumbs for several months now. One doctor said it was tendonitis and it would go away (which it hasn't) and now I've been getting accu-puncture and chiropractic manipulations which helps somewhat, but I don't know where to go next. I'm thinking an orthopaedic or a neurologist.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Trigger refers to a "snapping" that occurs when the finger is curled in toward the palm, and when you try to straighten it or release it, at some point in the motion you feel it snap. I think they use the term "trigger" because it is like when a gun is coiled and then releases.

My DH went to a specialist orthopedic. If you have someone who specializes in the hand, that might be best route.

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

In my cases it is at the knuckle. If I bend it, it snaps back on it's own. The base of the thumb gets quite sore and I could feel a "knot" there. Cortisone shots relieved it for about 5 mos. A second shot only lasted about 3 and then I had the surgery. The surgery is nothing. It can happen in any finger.

[idahodude Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close idahodude]

It is not uncommon to have more than a single trigger finger, especially if you have diabetes. My wife has had both thumbs trigger, and required surgery on both. If you have a trigger digit, be sure that you get screened for diabetes. It just requires a simple blood test.

Hand surgeons are most qualified to handle these (usually orthopedic or plastic surgeons who've done extra training in hand surgery). But most physicians (or PA/NPs) who've seen several of these can manage them, if you prefer.

Good luck. Getting rid of these was worth every penny we spent on my wife's surgeries.

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

I definitely don't have diabetes. The orthopedic surgeon I use is a highly qualified hand surgeon and he did my left hand so I would have him do the surgery if needed. The surgery is simple and gives instant relief. I am moving to SC in Sept so if I need surgery, I'd rather have it done before then.

[Blues Traveler Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Blues Traveler]

In my cases it is at the knuckle. If I bend it, it snaps back on it's own. The base of the thumb gets quite sore and I could feel a "knot" there. Cortisone shots relieved it for about 5 mos. A second shot only lasted about 3 and then I had the surgery. The surgery is nothing. It can happen in any finger.

Thanks for the response. After posting, I researched online and my self-diagnosis is now deQuervain's Tenosynovitis. Now, back to timesharing....

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

PatH, glad the surgery was a breeze for you, and makes me want to ask some questions....was there any pain during/after the surgery? did you have to wear a cast? How long was the recovery? Did you have to do therapy for any length of time?

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

was there any pain during/after the surgery? I had anesthesia so no pain during. My hand was sore for a couple of days but that's it.
did you have to wear a cast? No
How long was the recovery? Couple of days
Did you have to do therapy for any length of time? No PT