Anyone here ever get Trigger Finger/Thumb?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Give it the full 3 weeks.

Absolutely - thanks!

[GH85Carrera]

After one week after the steroid injection, I see and feel no change at all. Hopefully in two more weeks it will be better. I really don't want surgery on my dominate hand.

[John Rogers]

The use of steroids or any other type of injections generally do not work, maybe very short time but seem to me to be a way for whoever is doing that to get $$$$$. I have talked with about a dozen vets that had hip or knee injuries and all had to get shots, sometimes two or three and they never helped and the end result was surgery, may as bad as a joint replacement! This also happen to my left knee that had been crushed when hit by a drunk driver was back in 1969 and the surgeon at Langly AFB hospital built me good as original knee joint that lasted until 2012 when it started to deteriorate and I had to get a series of three shots of some sort of goop. My left lower leg was finally sticking out at about a 20 degree angle from straight and finally I got a new titanium lower knee part.
While maybe more complicated than a hand, the same idea applies. I was lucky that the surgeon that fixed my trigger finger(s) issue and my weird thumb told me nothing but surgery will fix it! Two days later she was correct and I was able to target shoot once again!
John Rogers

[Noah930]

Cortisone injections for trigger finger offer about a 70% cure rate. They pay about $100, often less. If you give a Medicare patient a cortisone injection at a follow-up (not initial) visit, you don't get paid for the visit, only the injection (which pays $60).

[Baz]

I thought I got a steroid shot. Maybe it was cortisone. I meant to ask. I will find out Monday and report back.

Tomorrow will make 3 days. Seems to at least have taken the pain away as I stopped taking my pain meds as of Tuesday.

There's still a click - maybe not as pronounced. I'm trying to ignore the thing for now and just carry on.

I got some sutures out today from some pre-skin cancer stuff, so focus has been more on that. The technician said the surgeon could have used a heavier thread.

I'm only 71 and feel like I'm falling apart!

[Noah930]

Steroid = cortisone

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Steroid = cortisone

Thanks - duh!

[Baz]

KENALOG 10 MG injection is what I got......

AP lateral oblique x-rays of the left hand reviewed which shows left CMC arthritis. patient elected to proceed with corticosteroid injection. Under sterile condition 0.5 cc of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine and 10 mg of Kenalog injected over the A1 pulley of the left thumb without complication. Patient wishes to follow up in approximately 4-6 weeks

[Baz]

Two weeks in and the click is still there but no where near as pronounced as before. Also there's no more pain. I'll continue to ride it out for a few more weeks and see if things improve. For now I welcome the temporary relief.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by Baz

Two weeks in and the click is still there but no where near as pronounced as before. Also there's no more pain. I'll continue to ride it out for a few more weeks and see if things improve. For now I welcome the temporary relief.

Hopefully, it improves. If not, I think you have to wait about 6 months for the steroids to wear off.

[gumby]

[Noah930]

Kenalog comes in 40 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL varieties. I almost always used the 40 mg dosing, though I worked with a doc who preferred the 10 mg strength (for fewer cutaneous side effects of skin hypopigmentation). But 99.99% of the time, I'd go with the 40 mg.

Usually, I'd wait at least 1 month in between steroid injections to the same spot.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Kenalog comes in 40 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL varieties. I almost always used the 40 mg dosing, though I worked with a doc who preferred the 10 mg strength (for fewer cutaneous side effects of skin hypopigmentation). But 99.99% of the time, I'd go with the 40 mg.

Usually, I'd wait at least 1 month in between steroid injections to the same spot.

Thanks for the info, Rick.

I'll keep the thread updated as appropriate.

Was at Walmart today and one of the managers had a big bandage wrapped around her left wrist/lower arm. I asked what happened and she said "I did something stupid." I asked if alcohol was involved and she said no. She said she punched a wall at her house during a brief fit of frustration about something (she didn't elaborate and I didn't ask!) and broke a bunch of stuff. Said she'll end up with some screws and a big scar.

But she did compliment her doctor, so that's good.

[GH85Carrera]

I had my steroid injection 3 weeks ago. So far very little if any improvement. The good news for me, it has never hurt at all. It is just annoying to have to force my finger to open back up. I will give it a few months, and contact my doctor again.

With zero pain, I am reluctant to have my dominate hand operated on. So many tasks that are are done routinely become a challenge with my left hand. I presume my right hand would have a splint on that finger, and a bandage around my hand I can't get wet. Wiping and washing my hands become a challenge. And to fix an issue with no pain is a difficult choice.

[Noah930]

You raise good points, Glen. While an annoyance, it's hard to make an argument for surgery if there's little/no pain.

The surgery and recovery usually aren't too bad. Most people are using their hand fairly normally within 2-4 weeks. Just keep it absolutely dry for 48 hours, and then (even if stitches present) it is OK to wet it with clean running water (wash hands/shower -- but no bathwater) until stitches removed at 10-14 days. Recurrence is rare (< 2%).

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I had my steroid injection 3 weeks ago. So far very little if any improvement. The good news for me, it has never hurt at all. It is just annoying to have to force my finger to open back up. I will give it a few months, and contact my doctor again.

With zero pain, I am reluctant to have my dominate hand operated on. So many tasks that are are done routinely become a challenge with my left hand. I presume my right hand would have a splint on that finger, and a bandage around my hand I can't get wet. Wiping and washing my hands become a challenge. And to fix an issue with no pain is a difficult choice.

When I had mine done, I never had a splint. The incisions are done on your palm and your hand is a little numb for a couple hours. You get most of your mobility back that day, but hand/fingers can be a little tight. I had to change my pool pump motor a day after my surgery on the dominant hand. A little harder to do than usual, but still doable.

[stevej37]

I had mine done about 10 years back. The Dr said I could watch if I wanted. He had an assistant helping and they talked football during the whole thing.
An incision in my palm a short cut through the tunnel to let the knot pass through....done.

Stitched and bandaged it up, put it in a sling and I went back to work for the rest of the day. (office job)
I've had dental work that was way worse. The trigger was gone and no problem since.

[WPOZZZ]

My incisions are about 1/4" below my finger. They are the vertical scars on my ring and index fingers.

[Baz]

Hey everyone.......quick update.

My trigger thumb still has a very slight 'click', but only noticeable if I'm focusing on it. No pain. BTW, today marks 1 month and 9 days since I got the injection.

Meanwhile the ring finger on my other (right) hand has developed some sticking issues, so I have an appointment on Thursday with my hand doc and am hoping she will give me another injection to help that one.

Will keep you posted.

[Baz]

Got a 2nd KENALOG 10 MG injection for my thumb and one for my left hand ring finger.

Left thumb is crazy numb right now!

This is much easier than surgery!