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Does Locking Of Finger After Sleep Suggest Arthritis?
Question: Hello - I am a 49.5 y.o. right-handed female who works on a computer all day (for the last 25 years). The strangest thing has been happening for the last few months. I wake up and find that the ring finger on my right hand is bent and curled towards my palm. When I first wake up, I can't make it go straight on its own and have use my left hand to straighten it. It looks normal and it doesn't hurt; however, there's definitely something going on with the knuckle as it feels like it's double-jointed. I've never cracked my knuckles. Could this be the beginning of arthritis?
Brief Answer:
Trigger finger
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Thank you for writing on health care magic
Well the symptoms you are describing , appears to me as if your finger gets locked in the morning hours and when you straighten it, you hear a pop as if you have unlocked something.
Well, it is a common problem known as Trigger finger( Flexor tenosynovitis), although examination of your hand will give us a definite clue but your symptoms point to this. As we grow older, our ligaments and tendons begin to wear out. The sort of complain you are having is due to thickening of the tendon of the little finger which forms a nodule and that s why it gets locked , for which you have to force it open.
Dont worry , it is more of a mechanical problem than the arthritis part. For now, I would suggest:
1. Avoid working on computer for a couple of days to give your tendons a bit of rest. Use some local pain killer gels and dip your hand in hot water for 5 minutes( morning+ evening) to relax the tendons.
2. Get your blood sugars tested as well as these sort of problems can crop up with diabetes
3. IF it still does not improve consult a rheumatologist. If it is trigger finger,sometimes a small injection at that area will help
Hope the information was useful
DO let me know for more queries
REgards
DR Naval
Trigger finger
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Thank you for writing on health care magic
Well the symptoms you are describing , appears to me as if your finger gets locked in the morning hours and when you straighten it, you hear a pop as if you have unlocked something.
Well, it is a common problem known as Trigger finger( Flexor tenosynovitis), although examination of your hand will give us a definite clue but your symptoms point to this. As we grow older, our ligaments and tendons begin to wear out. The sort of complain you are having is due to thickening of the tendon of the little finger which forms a nodule and that s why it gets locked , for which you have to force it open.
Dont worry , it is more of a mechanical problem than the arthritis part. For now, I would suggest:
1. Avoid working on computer for a couple of days to give your tendons a bit of rest. Use some local pain killer gels and dip your hand in hot water for 5 minutes( morning+ evening) to relax the tendons.
2. Get your blood sugars tested as well as these sort of problems can crop up with diabetes
3. IF it still does not improve consult a rheumatologist. If it is trigger finger,sometimes a small injection at that area will help
Hope the information was useful
DO let me know for more queries
REgards
DR Naval
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr. Naval -
This makes sense as I work on a computer every day. Twenty-one years ago I was treated for carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand. I thought I had been careful to not over-use it all these years as I didn't want to go through that pain and physical therapy again, but it looks like it's catching up with me in my hand.
I will definitely get my blood sugar tested.
Thank you for the quick reply and suggestions.
Regards,
XXXX
This makes sense as I work on a computer every day. Twenty-one years ago I was treated for carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand. I thought I had been careful to not over-use it all these years as I didn't want to go through that pain and physical therapy again, but it looks like it's catching up with me in my hand.
I will definitely get my blood sugar tested.
Thank you for the quick reply and suggestions.
Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Trigger finger
Detailed Answer:
Good evening XXXXXXX
No problems. I am glad I could be of some assistance. DO let me know if you have any further queries
Regards
Dr Naval
Trigger finger
Detailed Answer:
Good evening XXXXXXX
No problems. I am glad I could be of some assistance. DO let me know if you have any further queries
Regards
Dr Naval
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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