Trigger finger or stenosing tenosynovitis is a painful condition that causes functional impairment to the fingers of the hand. Trigger finger mostly affects adults in their 40s to 60s; with predominance in females.

The affected individual may experience pain or locking of the digits during flexion or extension. It commonly affects the ring finger and thumb in the dominant hand even though it can affect other digits.

What causes Trigger Finger?

The condition arises as a result of the inflammation of the flexor sheath due to repetitive overuse of the hand. As a result of repetitive overuse, tendon hypertrophy, and sheath narrowing occurs preventing the tendon from sliding smoothly into the sheath and resulting in a locking sensation.

The trigger finger is seen as associated with diseases such as diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, gout, thyroid diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Clinical features.

The disease is often gradual in onset. The affected individual may experience the following symptoms:

1. Discomfort of functional impairment of the affected finger.
2. Swelling or a nodule is seen in the affected area.
3. Painful click on the affected digit.
4. Inability to move the hand from a flexed position or locking of fingers during extension.
5. Progressive discomfort or stiffness of the affected palm.

What is Trigger Finger according to Ayurveda?

Trigger Finger can be correlated to the disease Hastanguli Snayugata Vata or Snayupradoshaja Vikara in Ayurveda. The vitiated vata dosha gets localized in the snayu(tendon) and produces the disease.

The symptoms of snayugata vata such as stambha (stiffness), sankocha (contraction), khalli (neuralgia of the upper extremities), and granthi (tumors in ligaments) are seen in the disease trigger finger.

How to manage Trigger Finger in Ayurveda

Ayurveda aids in treating trigger finger naturally which helps in relieving the inflammation of the tendons and its surrounding sheath and relieving pain naturally.

The three classical treatments we promote in managing trigger fingers are:

1. Snehana (oleation therapy): External or internal application of medicated oil or ghee.
2. Upanaha (Poultice): Bandaging the affected finger with medicated herbs for a prescribed period of time.
3. Agnikarma (Cauterisation): Applying heat on the affected digit using salaka, honey, etc as indicated by the physician.
4. Yoga – The patient is advised to practice NadiShudhi Pranayam. In this process, the patient needs to be seated in a meditative position and promote breathing activity in and out while the opposite nostril is still closed with the thumb. Regular finger stretching yoga asanas are also advised.

Along with these therapeutic procedures, the intake of nutritional supplements is also necessary for the management of the disease.

Diet and Behaviour

1. Avoid intake of cold and dry food which are hard to digest
2. Consume easily digestible food items, cow’s milk
3. Avoid heavy exercises
4. Oil massage are advised on affected area
5. Give proper rest to the hand.

Lifestyle modifications needed

1. Splinting can be performed for 6 to 10 weeks.
2. Using padded gloves while performing activities that require hand grip.
3. Do mild exercises of fingers and hands to stretch them regularly.
4. Oil massage on the affected digit daily for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Give proper rest to the hand.

Conclusion

Ayurvedic medicines have enough potential to treat Trigger finger disease in a natural and completely safe way. The aim of treatment is to eliminate the swelling and catching/locking, allowing full, painless movement of the finger or thumb. Trigger fingers can be really troublesome, if not treated on time. However, the correctly chosen Ayurveda remedies can help in effectively treating this condition.

If you have been diagnosed with a trigger finger/thumb, or think you might be suffering from one, feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment with the best ayurvedic doctor Melbourne