The hand is considered one of the essential body parts, as it helps us with our daily activities. Experiencing hand pain can be frustrating for anyone, and one cause of this pain might be trigger finger. This condition can affect people of all ages, but some age groups are at a higher risk.
If you find it difficult to straighten your fingers, then it might be time to consult a specialist. Knowing how this condition affects different people can help you seek the treatment and comfort you need. Continue reading to learn more about trigger finger.
What Is Trigger Finger?
Trigger finger is a condition characterized by a bent finger. Patients feel clicking or locking of the finger — similar to the pull and release of a trigger. In severe cases, the finger may lock in a bent position. This condition can be painful and disabling, and can interfere with your daily tasks, particularly activities that require hand use.
Trigger finger is known as stenosing tenosynovitis, because it affects the sheaths surrounding the tendons of the fingers. Tendons are connective tissues attaching the finger bones to muscles. Inflammation of the sheath causes the narrowing of spaces between your tendons. This makes the straightening of the fingers difficult.
Aside from locking or clicking, you may also experience other symptoms, such as stiffness of the fingers, especially in the morning. You may also notice a bump or nodule on the palm near the base of the affected finger. These nodules are results of scarring or thickening of tendons from interfered gliding.
Trigger Finger Across All Ages
A trigger finger is a condition linked to hand overuse or traumatic injury. It can affect people of all ages, but women ages 50 to 60 are more prone to this condition. Several factors affect your likelihood of developing trigger finger, such as:
● Trigger Finger in Older Adults
According to studies, trigger finger primarily occurs in people in their 50s and 60s. With age, overuse and repetitive hand motion may lead to inflammation of the sheaths in a trigger finger. Diabetes is a long-term medical condition common in older adults and can increase the probability of developing trigger finger.
● Trigger Finger in the Working Population
Because overuse and repetition increase the likelihood of trigger finger, the working population may be more susceptible to the condition. People who frequently perform repetitive gripping and hand use are at higher risk. Moreover, those with repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome are more likely to develop trigger finger, too.
● Trigger Finger in Children
Congenital trigger finger, also called pediatric trigger finger (PTF), is a rare condition among children below five years. It may occur when there is a problem with tendon length, especially in the thumb.
Other Populations Prone To Trigger Finger
Old age is not the only reason for someone to acquire trigger finger. Other risk factors also come into play that make anyone more susceptible to incur this injury. Understanding these factors can help people understand how likely it is to have this condition. Here are the other populations that are prone to trigger finger:
● Older Women
Women are more likely to have trigger finger than men. For older adults in their 50s and 60s, this difference can reach up to six times as frequent for women than men. While experts are not exactly sure why, the natural decline in estrogen during menopause may be a reason.
● People With Diabetes
People with diabetes are more likely to have trigger finger than those without it. The risk of getting this condition rises from 2% to 10% in diabetic individuals. Because trigger finger is a condition associated with diabetes, it is considered part of diabetic hand issues, which also include limited joint mobility, Dupuytren’s contracture, carpal tunnel syndrome, and others.
● People With Other Conditions
Some orthopedic conditions of the hand can also cause trigger finger. This includes people with rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and de Quervain’s disease. People with pre-existing conditions, such as hypothyroidism, renal disease, and amyloidosis, are also at a higher risk for trigger finger.
Trigger Finger Specialist in Clinton Township, MI
Anyone can have trigger finger, regardless of age. However, some factors, like sex and pre-existing conditions, can make you more prone to the condition. If you are feeling any discomfort or pain in your hand, immediately consult with a specialist.
If you are looking for an Orthopedic clinic that can help with your hand pain, visit Movement Orthopedics, a trusted orthopedic clinic in Clinton Township, MI. Dr. Troy Keoni Williams is our resident and board-certified hand surgeon with years of expertise in the field. You can rest assured that he will help ease your trigger finger.
Feel free to contact us at (586) 436-3785 or fill out our online request form. We look forward to serving you!
