Non-operative treatment options:
Relative Rest
Avoid activities where you have to grip constantly, repeatedly or with a lot of force. Take regular breaks.
Massage
Gently massage the base of your sore finger/thumb for 5 to 10 minutes every 4 hours. You could also try rubbing an ice cube over the sore area.
Medication
‘Over the counter’ anti-inflammatory tablets or gel. Gently massage the gel into the base of the affected fingers/thumb. Please tell your Pharmacist about any other drugs you are using. Ask whether they might be affected by the new drugs.
Use of a splint.
See Trigger Finger page
Exercises
‘Tendon gliding exercises’ help your finger/thumb tendons glide and slide and move the joints through their maximum range.
What Exercises Should I Do?
Do each exercise up to 10 times, 4 times a day. Do them in the order stated to get the maximum benefit.
Your exercises should be comfortable to do. It is not helpful to push through pain or triggering. If you have more pain in your hand afterwards do fewer exercises the next time.
If your joints are stiff you may use the other hand to achieve the position by gently stretching the fingers/thumb straight or pushing them to bend.
Start position: Bring your fingers and thumb as straight as possible and together. After you have done each exercise return to the start position then try the next exercise.
Make a hook/claw.
Keep the base knuckles straight
Bend the middle and tip joints in the fingers
Bend the tip joint of the thumb
Make a beak or glove puppet shape Knuckles bent, fingers and thumb straight
Make a flat fist
Bend at the knuckles
Keep your tip joints straight
Make a full fist
Keep your thumb outside your fingers
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