Steemit Learning Challenge-S22W3; Trigger Finger" by @rossnenye
| What's trigger finger? Write in your own words after getting knowledge from the lesson post. |
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Trigger Finger, which is also known as Stenosing tenosynovitis, is a type of Medical Condition which occurs when the Tendon and Sheath surrounding the finger becomes swollen and inflamed. When this occurs, it leads to pain, stiffness and inflammation in the finger.
| Causes |
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- Repetitive Use
Participating in Constant activities that involve grabbing, squeezing can lead to Trigger Finger.
- Medical ailments
A person who is suffering from Medical illness like Diabetes mellitus, Arthritis has high chance of developing this ailment.
- Occupation
People, especially Artisans that does work that involves using their hands are at high risk of developing this ailment.
- Injury
Serious Injury to the hand can also result to this ailment.
- Posture
Bad posture can equally lead to this.
| Symptoms of Finger Trigger |
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- Pain
Victim usually feels pain in the affected finger and mostly while performing movement like extension.
- Swelling
The affected finger also gets inflamed and swells up.
- Stiffness
The Victim finds it hard to move the Finger.
| Stages of Trigger Finger |
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- Pre-triggering Stage
At this stage, the Tendon is already inflamed. The Patient feels pain and stiffness in the affected finger but there is no Clicking sensation.
- Triggering Stage
At this stage, the patient feels clicking and snapping sensation when motion like Flexion, extension, adduction and abduction is performed on the finger.
- Locking stage
This is the last and most serious stage of Trigger Finger. At this stage, the finger is stuck and bent in position but it can extend passively and it also goes back to its bent position after straightening it.
| Treatment |
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- Corticosteroids Injection
Corticosteroids Injection can be given to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Surgery
Surgery can be performed to remove the affected Sheath.
| How would you diagnose a trigger finger? Any clinical investigation or assessment tests? |
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Diagnosing Trigger Finger involves a lot and of them includes the following.
- Medical history
The Doctor woulda ask the Patient when he started noticing the symptoms of Trigger Finger which includes stiffness, pain, inflammation in the finger and how long the Patient started experiencing this Symptoms. He would also ask if there is a family history of Trigger Finger and if the Victim does activities that triggers this Ailment.
- Physical Examination
The Doctor would check out the affected finger for the Symptoms of Trigger Finger like Inflammation, Swelling and pain.
- X-ray
This test is conducted in order to check out for medical ailments like Arthritis that can cause Trigger Finger.
- Ultrasound
This involves using sound waves to create Images and visualize the Tendon and Sheath in the finger in order to detect Trigger Finger.
- MRI
This test makes use of Magnetic fields and radio waves to visualize the image of the Tendon and Sheath which will help to discover Trigger Finger.
| Special Test for Trigger Finger |
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- Flick Test
To perform this test, the Doctor flicks the hand of the Patient quickly to see if it will catch a Lock.
- Notta Test
The Doctor asks the Patient to stretch and extend his hands and then he would assess for Catching or Locking.
- Trigger Test
To perform this, the Doctor asks the Patient to slightly bend and straighten his palm and the Doctor applies pressure to the Palm and if the Patient feels pain, then Trigger Finger is positive.
- Tinel's Sign
To perform this test, the Doctor taps the Patient on the affected finger to know if he would feel pain and numbness in the finger which is a Symptom of Trigger Finger.
| Try to practice at least 3 exercises that you have learned from the lesson. Share images, gifs or videos while practicing preferably gifs or videos. |
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- Finger strengthening with band
https://youtube.com/shorts/9TClJspEvkQ?si=yGsWDm9rpFU4Zy-W
I performed this with the aid of a rubber band. To perform this, I first put the rubber band at the ends of my finger tips and then I began to pull out and slowly come back in. I repeated this motion for about 5 times.
- Trigger Finger stretch
https://youtube.com/shorts/p3F7egPeATA?si=wNO7kpGf33AZMM1O
To perform this, I raised my palm up then I used one of the finger from the other hand to drag the finger down to join the other finger in a Clock like shape. I practiced this exercise for about 5 times.
- Tendon Gliding exercise
https://youtube.com/shorts/C5MVFfupAig?si=wJqyLz-PafhrsQXC
To perform this exercise, I first of all stretched out my hand and then I closed my fingers and then opened then. I performed this for about 5 times.
| Share your review after performing these exercises either on yourself, healthy |
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Before performing this exercise, I first of all applied Icepacks on my finger to avoid pain. When I started this exercise, I didn't feel any pain at all, I felt my fingers stretched and after the exercise I felt my fingers lighter and more flexible. Infact, I love how I felt after the exercises.
Thanks for reading through my post, I invite @dqueen, @adachukwu and @basil20 to participate in this contest.
Cc:
@ashkhan
My Twitter link
https://x.com/ezeobi_gab99917/status/1874873914415063166?t=iypS2DJcz3R6nS2suKxdKw&s=19
Thank you for understanding the lesson and sharing your assignment; I hope that you will enjoy this week's lesson and try to implement it in your life if you see any such case.
Observations
Task 1 (3/3)
You have shared a great knowledge about trigger finger, its symptoms, causes and it's stages. I appreciate your effort.
Task 2 (2.9/3)
In the second question, you tell us about how you have to assess a patient by doing physical examination, history taking, special tests and investigations. The special test name is notta's test not night test. Excellent.
Task 3 (4/4)
You try the finger extensor strengthening, trigger Finger stretch, tendon glides. You did the trigger finger stretches, tendon glides and finger flexor strengthening correctly. Always remember to apply heat pack in chronic condition and ice pack in acute condition before performing exercises to relax the muscles and reduce stiffness. I appreciate your efforts.
Overall you made a great attempt to answer all the questions. I appreciate your efforts. But next time try to avoid the above written suggestions. Keep learning and try to implement your knowledge to the people suffering from trigger finger or any type of finger issue. Thank you.
Your story of facing trigger finger with courage and positivity is a reminder that there’s always hope and strength within us.