How Long Does Physiotherapy Take to Improve Trigger Finger?
Hand pain can be incredibly debilitating, affecting everything from typing to cooking. Whether it’s due to arthritis, repetitive strain, or an injury, chronic hand pain can significantly impact your daily activities and quality of life. But don’t worry—hand pain physiotherapy in Edmonton offers effective relief. By incorporating specific exercises and treatments into your routine, you can alleviate pain, improve mobility, and regain functionality in your hands.
What is Trigger Finger?
Trigger finger, also called stenosing tenosynovitis, is a condition where one of the fingers or the thumb becomes locked in a bent position and then suddenly straightens with a snap, reminiscent of the action of a trigger being pulled and released. This arises from inflammation or swelling of the tendon sheath, which hinders the smooth movement of the tendon through the sheath.
Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and a popping sensation when moving the affected finger. In severe cases, the finger can become trapped in a bent position, causing difficulty in performing everyday tasks such as grasping objects or fully extending the finger. This limitation in hand mobility can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, affecting their ability to work, perform household chores, and engage in leisure activities.
Duration and Approach to Physiotherapy for Trigger Finger:
The time it takes for physiotherapy to improve your trigger finger can vary based on several factors, like how severe your condition is, how well you respond to treatment, sticking to the therapy plan, and any other health issues you might have. Hand pain physiotherapy in Edmonton includes exercises to improve finger mobility, stretching, strengthening exercises, and possibly treatments like ultrasound or splinting.
Most people start noticing improvements within a few weeks of starting physiotherapy. But it’s important to keep up with the prescribed exercises and treatment for trigger fingers for the full recommended duration, which can range from several weeks to a few months. Being consistent and dedicated to our therapy plan is key to getting the optimum results.
Working closely with our physiotherapists is essential as they tailor trigger finger treatment plans to fit your specific needs and consistently monitor your progress. In some cases, physiotherapy alone doesn’t provide enough relief; always talk to our therapists for personalized advice and guidance on treating your trigger finger.
Physiotherapy Treatments for Trigger Finger:
Dealing with a trigger finger can be a real pain, but physiotherapy has some great treatments to help you out. Here are some common physiotherapy treatments for trigger fingers that can get your hand feeling better:
The First Few Weeks:
In the initial weeks, we focus on reducing inflammation and pain while improving mobility. Here are some exercises and treatments that are typically recommended:
Stretching Exercises
Stretching the fingers is instrumental in enhancing flexibility and mitigating stiffness. One effective technique involves placing the hand flat on a table and sequentially lifting each finger one at a time, holding each lift for a few seconds before releasing. This simple yet targeted exercise helps to increase the range of motion in the fingers, promoting suppleness and easing any feelings of stiffness.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a beneficial approach for addressing trigger finger symptoms by enhancing blood flow and reducing inflammation in the affected area. An effective technique involves using the thumb to apply gentle pressure along the tendon sheath, employing small circular motions during the massage. This method promotes circulation, which aids in delivering essential nutrients to the tissues while flushing out toxins, thereby reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
Splinting
Splinting is a beneficial method for managing trigger finger symptoms by minimizing stress on the tendon and promoting proper finger alignment. By keeping the affected finger straight, splinting helps to alleviate strain on the tendon sheath, reducing the likelihood of triggering and allowing for improved healing.
For instance, wearing a finger splint at night prevents the finger from curling into a bent position during sleep, effectively maintaining straight alignment and mitigating discomfort.
After a Month:
Once you’ve been working on the initial exercises and treatments for a few weeks, it’s time to incorporate more techniques to continue your progress:
Functional Movement Exercises
Functional movement exercises play a pivotal role in enhancing the coordination and practical functionality of the hands in everyday tasks. By engaging in activities that mimic real-life movements, individuals can enhance their capacity to perform daily activities with greater ease and efficiency.
For instance, practicing the task of picking up small objects such as coins or buttons not only refines fine motor skills but also strengthens hand-eye coordination and grip strength.
Dynamic Stretching
Dynamic stretching is instrumental in improving flexibility and promoting the natural movement of tendons through everyday motions. By engaging in dynamic stretching exercises like “tendon glides,” individuals can enhance the flexibility and mobility of their fingers in a functional manner.
For instance, performing tendon glides involves transitioning from making a fist to slowly extending the hand into a straight position, then forming a hook fist by bending just the top two joints of the fingers and returning to a straight hand position. These dynamic movements mimic real-life hand actions, facilitating an improved range of motion and dexterity while reducing stiffness.
From Pain to Progress:
Hand pain physiotherapy in Edmonton plays a crucial role in the management of the trigger finger by addressing pain, improving flexibility, and enhancing overall hand function. Eastwood Physiotherapy aims to alleviate symptoms and restore normal movement patterns in the affected hand. For those experiencing trigger fingers, seeking early intervention from our physiotherapist can facilitate timely relief and promote long-term hand health.
Ultimately, with the guidance and support of our physiotherapy team, individuals with trigger fingers can experience improved comfort and functionality, enabling them to better participate in daily activities and enjoy an improved quality of life.
Ready to find relief from trigger finger pain and regain control of your hand function? Initiate your journey free from discomfort by scheduling a consultation with our registered physiotherapy team today.
