I have been diagnosed with acute trigger thumb, am currently in a splint and probably headed for surgery.
Would appreciate hearing from anyone who has had experience with this issue? If I am understanding all that has been said, it seems that some improve with 3-4 MONTHS in the splint, or with surgery, can be back to somewhat normal in 1-2 WEEKS.
What questions should I be asking? (will soon meet with a surgeon)
Thanks for your input!
–Joan, in NH
I had a cortisone injection that fixed it right away and it never came back.
Same as Come Shine. Painted an entire house after the shot and that was at least 6-7 years ago. I believe I also got lidocaine with/in my shot so it wasn’t even painful.
I have what seems to me to be relatively mild trigger finger. They told me the same thing, but I followed my usual procedure and pretended I didn’t have it. It has gotten better over the past 2 months but I still wake up at night with a stuck finger, once in a while (nowhere near every night anymore).
[QUOTE=Come Shine;7232236]
I had a cortisone injection that fixed it right away and it never came back.[/QUOTE]
Me too, the surgeon called it De Quervain thumb, gave it a shot several years ago and it has been like new since.
Now the other thumb is acting up, hard to hold a manure fork, rake, shovel without feeling like when you bump your elbow, an electric shock, so I am afraid it is going the way the other did.:no:
Be sure you have a hand specialist surgeon.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
I had a pretty bad trigger finger, had the tendon sheath injected with cortisone, and it has been great since then. It’s been at least ten years and probably closer to 15 since it was fixed. My rheumatologist said surgery wasn’t necessary.
Rebecca
I’ve had 4 surgeries on4 different fingers, one of which we tried corticosterids on first, and one thumb, where the corticosteroid has worked thus far.
The surgeries are NBD.
Had two of the fingers done separately, and two done at the same time.
My hand surgeon says the thumb release is simpler and recovery time is shorter than the fingers.
I had surgery on my right thumb about 5 years ago. Did the injections first but they only worked for a few months. I had the first surgery on my left long finger 4 years ago and the second surgery a little less than a year later. For some reason I built up excess scar tissue which prevented me from straightening that finger after the first surgery but it’s great now. Also had that finger injected first but again, it only helped for a few months. This year my right long finger started triggering. The first injection worked for 3 or 4 months and it’s been 3 months since the second injection. So far so good but given my track record with steroid injections, I won’t be surprised if it starts acting up again. My doctor won’t do more than 2 injections per finger so the next time would mean surgery #4. I’d agree that the surgeries are NBD. The worst part, for me, was waiting for the nerve block to wear off - I really hate that sensation! I had some residual numbness after the second surgery on the same finger that lasted several months - that was a little weird but normal sensation did eventually return.
Thanks for the input! I am still waiting to hear when surgeon’s consult appointment will be. I am always considered “higher risk”
for any invasive procedure because I have lupus and I am on blood thinners for related clotting disorder.
As someone mentioned, when it locked up at night, it was horribly painful. then it started doing the same during the day —drop me to my knees kind of stabbing pain. Very glad to be in the splint, but it is interesting (to say the least) to figure out how to do some things without use of a thumb!! No way I could handle the lines to drive my horse, but I have been in the saddle.
–Joan
[QUOTE=nhhaflngr;7233717]
Thanks for the input! I am still waiting to hear when surgeon’s consult appointment will be. I am always considered “higher risk”
for any invasive procedure because I have lupus and I am on blood thinners for related clotting disorder.–Joan[/QUOTE]
I had the exact same thing a couple of years ago (lupus, clotting, trigger finger). I did the injection and it worked for me (knocks on wood LOL) Good luck
I had the injection, crazy painful. I will not do that again. Plus it only worked for a couple of weeks. I’m putting surgery off until I can’t take it anymore. I just use vet wrap to keep the thumb joint from being bent.
I had the surgery several years ago. My middle finger would lock so badly that I hd to physically pull it straight. Surgery was in the doctors office. Drove home. Easy recovery and it’s gone!
Hey Horsetales -
I have Lupus Antiphospholipid disorder, or lupus anticoag syndrome –
are you the same??
It’s been quite a ride… I was diagnosed in 1987 at age 27.
I had trigger thumb, right hand. Cortisone shot did zero for it. Went in to the day surgery with a very good hand surgeon, he fixed it, I felt immediately better. It was bandaged for a day or so, then stitches to be removed 10 days or so later. I think it was a tad tender for a couple weeks, went back to work almost immediately. BEST surgery I ever had. BTW for the surgery I had to undress, get an iv, but I told them I wanted NO DREAMY drugs to make me sleepy, loopy or whatever. I wanted the surgery done, and me to go home.right.away. They monitored my heart and respiration, and we talked and joked during the procedure. They strap your arm down really really well, numb it up, that is the best part because all pain goes away. I also had a broken pinky finger on the same hand, it would still hurt, no fixing that finger. But he fixed my thumb up nicely, and life was really good. Got some stitch scars on the inside of my thumb at the base at my palm. Nobody sees them. Easy surgery, and instant relief right away, yes I moved my thumb and could tell. Yes they required a driver for me (mr rmh), but since I was not drugged I could leave pronto upon putting on my clothes, and that I did. So in horse terms, I was not aced, but had a light twitch on for the surgery, and was able to be immediately trailered home.
OMG I hurt so bad to “unlock” it when it was bent down. There is the known pain of having to “unlock” it to a normal position. This could cause me to sweat on my brow, and my palms to sweat. But I had to do it. I know this pain. It is no more now after surgery. I mean literally they untwitched me and I moved my hand. Yup, it is fixed. I could even tell through all the big o bandages they had on it. Good luck!
I had a trigger thumb. I went to physio and they did the heated wax dip and massage. They gave me exercises to do. I was told to tape the joint to keep it from locking and unlocking as that makes it worse. Over time it did get better and I avoided the cortisone shot.
I think I got it from braiding too much. 
I used to braid all the therapy horses for their shows, plus my own.
I had trigger finger on right hand and trigger thumb on left. Got the shots for both but only lasted a few months. Had two fingers done at once on hand. For the thumb I actually was awake the entire time…in the surgical center. Didn’t feel a thing but not sure I would do that again. Surgery is easy…once its done no more issues!
[QUOTE=nhhaflngr;7235837]
Hey Horsetales -
I have Lupus Antiphospholipid disorder, or lupus anticoag syndrome –
are you the same??
It’s been quite a ride… I was diagnosed in 1987 at age 27.[/QUOTE]
Yup, same thing here - Aren’t we lucky LOL I was also diagnosed in my late 20’s. I’ve been lucky the trigger finger didn’t return after injection.
ETA - did you have to shop Dr with your horse habit. I had to find one that would work with me - I had others tell me it was too dangerous and I needed to give it up. Frustrating when your Dr tells you to give up the thing you love most. Now my Dr rides, so she gets it.
Horsetales - sent you a PM.
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