Trigger Finger and Trigger Thumb the term used to describe the
condition when the tendon sheath narrows around the tendon of the finger and/or thumb.
The tendon then
becomes inflamed and swollen. The medical term is
digital tenovaginitis stenosans. In more severe
cases a lump or nodule actually forms on the tendon and
causes resistance to you opening your fingers and/or thumbs.
Basically the swollen tendons (usually caused from over
use - repetitive stress - of the tendons) are not able to
move freely through the small "sockets" or "pipe
like sleeves". When they finally
do open or move your finger will
"unlock", "snap", "pop" or "trigger" open - similar to the
action of releasing a trigger on a gun. Hence the term
"trigger finger".
The "triggering" is more apparent in the morning and is
more common in women than in men, and in anyone with
diabetes. |