Is there a cure for "Trigger Finger" other than surgery?
143575
Really, it depends on the stage of your condition.  This condition can be described in six stages, delineated by number.  Stage one refers to a finger that has normal movement.  There may be tenderness in the area of the metacarpal heads or at the base of the thumb.  In stage two, finger movement is defined as uneven, although there is not yet triggering.  The characteristic triggering occurs in stage three.  A stage four trigger finger actually locks upon extension (or flexion) but can be unlocked by actively moving the finger into further extension (or flexion).  By stage five, the finger must be passively extended (or flexed) in order to unlock it.  A finger that can no longer be unlocked, either actively or passively, is considered to be in stage six.  Pain may or may not accompany each of these stages.\n\nWhat is happening is that the tendon of the finger is inflamed and is trying to squeeze through a small opening that it cannot fit through.  You can probably feel a knot in the tendon.\n\nAnyway, to answer your question, there are several options to treatment besides surgery.  It is recommended to try conservative treatment first.  Splinting, corticosteroid injections, and something called iontophoresis (infusing the area with an anti-inflammatory drug via electrical stimulation) are the main options.  \n\nIn general, if symptoms have been present for greater than 6 months, success of splinting and injection are significantly decreased.  In this circumstance, surgery may be the only effective route to take.  If the trigger finger is in stage six, splinting and injection are not likely to be effective.  In this case, surgery is the primary form of treatment employed.\n\nI hope this helps.  An occupational therapist can provide a splint for you if you are in the beginning stages.  Iontophoresis is also done by occupational therapists and is painless.  A physician can tell you about corticosteroid injections.  It may, of course recur, but it may after surgery as well...  Good luck!
1145818
It's just annoying. I have been popping mine for 30 years. My fingers are slim, straight, have no lumps, bumps or pains.  I recall trying to stop popping them about a year after starting, but found it had become mentally addicting, and physically necessary. Uncracked fingers become cramped and painful. Cracking them loosens them up.\n\nI recall having surgery one time, and did not pop them for a week afterwards. Then one day I realized I hadn't and thought to myself, "do I want to stop, or start again?"  And I happily went and popped every single joint on every finger, and sighed happily in relief.\n\nHearing someone crack their knuckles can be very annoying, irritating, and one must learn to do it when no one else will notice. Then you can enjoy the cracking, and no one else will be bothered.
204486
If you've had it for a long time, the only way to go is laser surgery.  If it's a recent problem, maybe review your habits and it *might* get better.
422709
I tried a million things for 30 years.  What finally worked was having them 'done' --acrylic nails.  They are really hard and you kind of can't bite them.  It's a hassle cuz i have to go have my nails done and pay for it every 3 weeks or so.  But very worth it because i no longer have ugly, bloody fingers.\nThere is an official term for this type of behavior - maladaptive overgrooming.  I read books and tried everything.  This is the only thing that worked.
267414
It sounds like you have a strain, with some minor inflamation, which is putting pressure on the nerve.\n\nAcupuncture is especially effective in this type of situation. If you don't want to seek outside care, you\ncould try acupressure and massage, at home.  \n\nOf course, if there is still swelling you should ice your hand.  Whether there's swelling or not, soaking your hand in warm water and epsom salts will help.  Especially in conjunction with massage afterward. Massage up the tendon line from the affected finger tip.  And, do make sure to include the wrist and forearm if you feel that the stress-line runs up into your arm.  Good luck!\n\nGood luck!
841773
I accidently put my hand through a window and lost a finger and had it re-attached.  I had to have major surgery to put an artificial tendon in the finger and go through 6 months of therapy.
793217
Use an intensive healing hand cream. Some good ones to use are Neutrogena and, like someone mentioned previously, Udder Balm. They are both great and work wonders!!
368296
Keep moving if you can, even if it is painful.  Some types of therapeutic massage therapy can be helpful because it helps with lymphatic drainage; toxins can build up in your joints, making the arthritis worse.  Also, I would recommend that you drink A LOT of water.  One more thing...I don't know if it's true, but both of my parents have arthritis and swear that it is MUCH better when they don't eat potatoes.  None of these things will "cure" you, but combined, they may help.
349307
I'm just a medical student. If you have any doubt please ask you doctor. Hope this helps.\n\nThe closest disease i can think of is De Quervain's tenosynovitis. The signs and symptoms are swelling and pain at the thumb side of your wrist. It is caused by inflammation of one of the tendon of your thumb. \n\nThe treatment is to control the symptoms via  pain killer known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), or corticosteroid injection. Talk to your doctor about your pain and the disability caused by this disease. I'm sure your doctor will do something about that.
961522
Poor you, I had surgery for mine two years ago and I've had no problems (touch wood!!!).  You can go for the op again, but the likelyhood is that if it came back after the first one it will eventually come back after a repeated one.\n\nI would recommend you get a splint for your wrist and wear it when it is possible to, avoid unnecessary repeated movement in your wrist and try an ice/heat pack for the pain.
883300
sometimes they don't see the fracture. espeicily if oyu moved onthe xray.\n but splint is usually the cure for either. if its not to otu of line\nif it gets really bad or hurts too much go back.. or maybe go somewhere else.\nunfortunately after 24 houts if there is a big problem it might need to be rebroke. if you can go to an orhtopedist for follow up and tellyou how to rehab it ,that would be a good idea.\n\nor read sites below.\n\nFinger Injuries - Finger Fractures\nLearn about finger fractures, also called broken fingers. Finger fractures are difficult problems and have several types of treatment depending on the exact ...\northopedics.about.com/ cs/\ngeneralinfo3/a/fingerinjury.\nhtm\n \n\nAcute Finger Fracture\nPatient information regarding Acute Finger Fracture.\nwww.e-hand.com/hw/\nhw010.htm - 9k
897386
You have probably jammed your thumb...It's gonna take a big while to heal...It is custom to recommend ice when treating a jammed thumb. But every time I've tried that, it has been futile. Instead I put some water on to heat and add salt to it. Epsom salt works the best, but any other will do fine. The water is not exactly boiling, but close to it. You take this hot water and place it in a container, and dip the corner of a small towel in it. Put the wet corner over your thumb for as long as you can take it. Keep doing this, and once the temperature of the water is bearable, put your whole thumb in it. Keep doing this, and keep reheating the water if it becomes warm of cold. If you do this right after the thumb gets sprained, it will reduce swelling, turning purple or and reduce the pain. The results are fast, and much more effective than ice. The healing process is also shortened if you repeat it for some days. If you're going to be involved in some activity, tape the thumb up because you want the least movement possible.
1167347
No instant solution I'm afraid. I found relief by by putting a small electric blanket on it (hot pad). After three months I was due to have and orthopaedic surgeon operate on it but over just a few days it started to eventually get better. I was desperate, to the point of even looking forward to the operation. You have my sympathy. The worst consuming pain I have ever had, my triple heart by-pass operation was a doddle by comparison.
230849
i had that same problem with my guitar. i had cut the tip of my finger off, leaving a scar and an indented finger also. my finger got sore from not puttting anything on it, but it soon devolped a sort of callasus so it didnt hurt anymore.
839693
I had 4 of the tendons on my hand severed!  Boy, that was not funny....I went to therapy for six months, and then I got Silly Putty, and a medium-hard ball.  I would work it whenever.....now I am fine.  Of course that was a while back, but I am up to speed on everything (actually was 2 years after the accident).  WORK IT!!\nYou can also try, screwing and unscrewing bottle caps, buttoning clothes, anything that MOVES your thumb in coordination with other fingers.\nGood Luck!
692589
No there is no cure, but medications can lessen the effects.  However the damage cannot be reversed short of joint replacement.
687239
Try the RICE method...\nR.est\nI.ce it\nC.ompression, &\nE.levate.\nTaking anti-inflammatories also helps, such as Aleve, Motrin or ibuprofen. \nEat healthily to speed healing. Drink lots of water. Fresh fruits & veggies & frssh air, too.