10 Solutions for That 'Stuck' Finger: Effectively Treating Trigger Finger

3. Stretching Exercises

Gently stretching the affected finger can sometimes help improve the overall range of motion and decrease feelings of stiffness. Patients should be careful to listen to their bodies, though. If the exercises are causing an increase in pain, they should stop. Additional irritation could make the inflammation worse. To do a finger extensor stretch, individuals should lay their palm flat on the table, then gently pull the affected finger up as far as it can go, before releasing it and repeating the motion. Individuals can also make a 'V' shape with their affected finger and nearest unaffected finger, then use their other hand to press the fingers against their neighboring digits. After this, they should release and move the two middle digits close together. A finger spread stretch is one of the simplest ones out there, and can be done with a simple rubber band. Patients should place the band around their fingers and thumb so they're pressed tightly together, then stretch all five digits, pushing back against the rubber band. They must hook the band around each finger in turn and repeat the exercise.

4. Anti-Inflammatory Medication

A variety of over-the-counter medicines can help with alleviating trigger finger. Potential options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, which reduce inflammation the same way steroids do. Acetaminophen can also help reduce inflammation and pain. Usually, these medicines are used before a doctor prescribes steroid injections for treating trigger finger. If they don't offer relief, the next steps are the injections, followed by surgical intervention. Patients should be careful when they use anti-inflammatories, even if they're over-the-counter rather than prescription strength. This is because overuse can lead to stomach ulcers, which can cause death if they bleed without treatment. Patients may also develop kidney problems. If individuals have kidney issues already, they should ask their doctor about whether anti-inflammatories are safe to take. Acetaminophen is an effective alternative, since it's an analgesic rather than an anti-inflammatory medication.