Trigger Finger: 5 Nonsurgical Treatment Options That Can Help

Trigger finger is a condition that happens when your finger or thumb gets stuck in a bent position. The tendon in your finger gets inflamed and swollen, and it might feel like it’s catching when you try to bend or straighten it. This limited range of motion — plus pain — can make everyday tasks difficult.

While trigger finger surgery is an option, it’s not always necessary. Many people prefer to explore nonsurgical treatments first, and our team at Full Orthopedics Urgent Care is here to help you do just that. We offer care for hand and wrist pain in North Miami Beach, Florida. 

Here are five effective nonsurgical treatment options for managing trigger finger.

1. Rest and activity modification

One of the simplest and most effective treatments for trigger finger is rest. Gripping, repetitive motions, and heavy lifting can aggravate your symptoms. By resting your finger, you give the inflammation around the tendon time to go down.

Resting your affected finger minimizes the strain on the tendon, reducing irritation and inflammation. Taking a break from strenuous activity gives your finger time to heal, and in some cases, simply avoiding the activities that triggered the condition in the first place can lead to significant improvement.

2. Splinting

Splinting is another nonsurgical option that offers relief from trigger finger symptoms. We typically recommend wearing the splint at night to keep your finger straight.

By keeping your finger straight, the splint reduces the pressure on the tendon and helps prevent it from bending and getting stuck. This allows the tendon to rest and heal. Splinting is especially useful if your trigger finger symptoms are more severe in the morning.

3. Stretching and strengthening exercises

Physical therapy exercises can also be beneficial in managing trigger finger. Stretching exercises help you maintain flexibility in your affected finger, and strengthening exercises can improve the overall function of your hand. A physical therapist can guide you through specific exercises that target the tendon and surrounding muscles.

Regular stretching and strengthening exercises can reduce stiffness, improve range of motion, and decrease the likelihood of your finger getting stuck. Physical therapy exercises can also promote better blood flow to the area, which aids in healing.

4. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Over-the-counter NSAIDs, like ibuprofen and naproxen, can help reduce the inflammation and pain associated with trigger finger. These medications work by blocking the production of substances in your body that cause inflammation, providing relief from discomfort. NSAIDs are particularly useful when combined with other treatments, like rest and splinting.

5. Corticosteroid injections

If other nonsurgical treatments don’t provide enough relief, corticosteroid injections may be another option to try before you consider surgery. These injections deliver a powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly into the tendon sheath to reduce swelling and pain.

Corticosteroid injections can offer significant and sometimes long-lasting relief from trigger finger symptoms. They’re especially effective in the early stages, and they may even help prevent the need for surgery later on.

Trigger finger can be painful and disruptive, but it doesn’t always require surgery. Get a diagnosis and customized treatment plan that fits your needs from our team at Full Orthopedics Urgent Care. Just call our office, check in online, or stop by anytime (we take walk-ins).