Snap Finger Care Medicines

Definition

The trigger finger - also known by the name of stenosing tenosynovitis of the flexors of the fingers - is a disorder characterized by inflammation of the synovial sheath surrounding the tendon of the fingers.
The trigger finger affects mainly - but not only - women. This disease tends to occur mainly in the predominant hand and can also affect several fingers at the same time.

Causes

As mentioned, trigger finger is caused by inflammation of the synovial sheath surrounding the tendon of the affected finger. The inflammation produces a thickening and narrowing of the synovial sheath, thus hindering the tendon from sliding inside it. Because of this phenomenon, when you try to extend the finger from a closed or gripping position, it remains bent, and then extends with a "snap" movement (hence the name of the pathology).
The main factors that can increase the risk of trigger finger are trauma to the hand, the presence of rheumatic diseases, diabetes, hypothyroidism and some types of infections. repeated grasping movements are more susceptible to the onset of the disease.

Symptoms

In addition to the typical "snapping" movement of the finger affected by the inflammation, the symptoms that can occur during this pathology are joint swelling and pain, pain in the hand and wrist, joint stiffness and the formation of a lump at the base of the affected finger. .
In severe cases, moreover, the finger may not be able to complete the extension, thus remaining in the bent position.

The information on Trigger Finger - Drugs and Trigger Finger Care is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Trigger Finger - Drugs and Trigger Finger Care.

Medicines

The drugs that are used to treat trigger finger are mainly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids. The type of therapy to be undertaken, however, may vary according to the severity of the clinical picture presented by the patients.
In fact, in milder cases of trigger finger, it is possible to proceed with non-pharmacological treatments, such as splinting the finger and carrying out specific exercises, in order to favor the mobility of the affected finger. Obviously, it is essential to keep the finger at rest and avoid frequent gripping movements.
For the most serious cases, however, it may be necessary to resort to anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs to relieve the synovial sheath and to reduce the pain caused by the disease.
In cases where the aforementioned treatments are not effective, surgery may be required.
Following the surgery, a therapy based on anti-inflammatory drugs and a physiotherapy pathway to restore the movement of the joint can then be prescribed.

The following are the classes of drugs most used in trigger finger therapy and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the active ingredient and dosage most suitable for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used in the treatment of trigger finger thanks to their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, in order to reduce inflammation of the synovial sheath and to relieve pain caused by the disease.
The active ingredients most commonly used in the treatment of trigger finger will be reported below and some indications will be given on the doses usually used in therapy. However, the exact dosage of the drug must be established by the doctor according to the severity of the inflammation and the patient's condition, therefore, it is essential to always follow the instructions provided by it.

Ketoprofen (Artrosilene ®, Orudis ®, Oki ®, Fastum gel ®, Flexen "Retard" ®, Ketodol ®): ketoprofen is available in different pharmaceutical formulations suitable for different routes of administration (oral, cutaneous, rectal and parenteral). When taken orally in the treatment of trigger finger, the dose of active ingredient usually used is 150-200 mg per day, to be taken in 2-3 divided doses, preferably after meals. It is very important not to exceed the maximum dose of 200 mg per day.
When using pharmaceutical formulations for cutaneous use based on ketoprofen, however, it is recommended to apply the product in the affected area 1-3 times a day, or according to medical prescription. It is important to remember that - to avoid the onset of photosensitivity reactions - the part treated with ketoprofen for cutaneous use must not be exposed to sunlight and UV rays, both during the treatment and for a period of at least two weeks from the end. of the same.
Ibuprofen (Brufen ®, Moment ®, Nurofen ®, Arfen ®, Actigrip fever and pain ®, Vicks fever and pain ®): Ibuprofen is also available in different pharmaceutical formulations suitable for different routes of administration. When administered orally in the trigger finger treatment, the dose of ibuprofen used may vary from patient to patient and must be determined by the physician. However, the maximum dose of 1,200-1,800 mg of active ingredient per day should not be exceeded.
Naproxen (Momendol ®, Synflex ®, Xenar ®): when naproxen is administered orally, the dose usually used is 500-1,000 mg of drug per day, to be taken in divided doses every 12 hours. When using naproxen-based gel or cream, on the other hand, it is recommended to perform two applications a day directly on the affected area.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroid therapy for trigger finger care involves local treatment by infiltrating them in correspondence with the tendon membrane. This therapeutic approach tends to be more effective if carried out shortly after the onset of the first symptoms of the disease.
In some cases, corticosteroids used to treat trigger finger are available in pharmaceutical formulations in combination with local anesthetics (such as lidocaine, for example).
The infiltration of corticosteroids is a delicate operation and must be performed by specialized personnel, as there is a risk of causing damage and rupture of the tendon.
Among the corticosteroids used in the treatment of trigger finger, we remember:

Methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol ®): methylprednisolone is used in the treatment of trigger finger in combination with lidocaine. The dose of drug usually used varies from 4 mg to 80 mg, depending on the severity of the disease.
Dexamethasone (Soldesam ®): the dose of dexamethasone usually used for the treatment of trigger finger is 0.4-1 mg, depending on the severity of the disease.
Triamcinolone (Kenacort ®): The usual starting dose of triamcinolone is 2.5-5 mg. If he deems it necessary, the doctor may decide to vary the amount of drug administered, in order to achieve the optimal dosage for controlling the disease.

Analgesics

Actually, analgesic drugs are not used to treat trigger finger per se, but are used to reduce pain caused by the condition, or to relieve pain following surgery.

Paracetamol (Tachipirina ®, Efferalgan ®, Panadol ®): the dose of drug usually used is 500-1000 mg, to be taken as needed for a maximum of 3-4 times a day.