Trigger Finger Treatments

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. The goal of treatment is to reduce swelling and pain. This will allow the tendon to move freely in the sheath. Treatment options include the following:

Rest

Stopping movement in the finger or thumb is often the best treatment for mild cases of trigger finger. A brace or splint may be used. Rest may be combined with stretching the muscle tendon unit.

Medications

Several medications are used to treat tenosynovitis. These include:

Corticosteroids—given as an injection into the synovial tendon sheath to reduce swelling of the tendon sheath
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help reduce inflammation and pain:
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)

Surgery

Severe cases of trigger finger may not respond to medications. In this case, surgery may be used to release the tendon from a locked position. This surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. It only requires a small incision in the palm of the hand.

If you are diagnosed with trigger finger, follow your doctor's instructions.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.