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Has anyone else here ever had experience with "trigger finger" ? My 2nd finger on my right hand ( the one that pushes down the 2nd valve ) started to lock in place at night when I slept and I would have to work it for a few minutes when I woke up to get going again. It never bothers me during the day. I went to see a specialist on Tuesday and got a shot of Cortisone that seems to working some magic for me.
I was wondering if this can become a permanent problem. I'm more worried about being able to work than I am being able to play. No hand .... no work .... .

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/handcon ... finger.htm" target="_blank

Could be a signal for the onset of arthritis as mine was. However, since you have seen a doctor, they would have said something. Not all trigger finger is linked to arthritis.

I developed 'trigger thumb' on my right hand a couple of weeks ago due to repetitive stress on the flexor tendons at the metacarpal-phalangeal joint (MCPJ) from using a mouse. The 'pulley' there was already sensitized from using a 'twist shifter' on my hybrid bicycle for several years. When the tendon and sheath start to get inflamed, the bulbous inflammatory enlargement on the tendon will no longer fit within the now smaller pulley space which results in 'triggering' as the digit is flexed and extended. There is resistance to these movements which is suddenly overcome as the bulbous tendon is forced through the pulley. I have a strong aversion to corticosteroid injections into fibrous tissues such as tendon sheaths and pulleys due to the severe pain such injections can inflict as well as the disastrous complications that can result from a misadventure. (I practiced medicine for over 40 years, but dropped my license when I retired a few years ago.)

The leader of a brass group I play with is a gifted physician who when I mentioned my plight and lamented that Voltaren gel (diclofenac) required a prescription suggested an off-label use of DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) which is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory topical application in veterinary medicine. That started the wheels turning.

Because in addition to being a powerful anti-inflammatory DMSO is an effective vehicle for transporting other chemicals across the skin and into the underlying tissues and because I didn't want to risk unknown other compounds' absorption I bought 99% pure DMSO in a roll-on and started using it a week ago. A couple of days later I also began using flexible tape to splint the affected thumb tip and prevent the triggering because it was aggravating the condition by causing further trauma. Meanwhile I ordered a ring-size 14 Oval-8® splint after getting a cheap ring-size set to be sure it would fit my thumb. The splint arrived yesterday, but as I feared it applies pressure to the adjacent afflicted tissue since on the thumb there is no intervening interphalangeal joint. This splint would work admirably on a finger, but there isn't room for it on my thumb.

The triggering has subsided but is still barely perceptible, so although after a week as of this morning I've discontinued the every 6 hr. application of DMSO I will continue to splint the thumb tip for an undetermined amount of time until the discomfort in the pulley area has abated. Bear in mind that this is strictly an experimental and off-label use of DMSO, and I undertook this treatment fully cognizant of the potential adverse consequences.

I won't know the outcome of the treatment for another 5-6 weeks because the poor vascularity of collagen-rich tissue such as tendons and tendon sheaths allows only very slow healing. Meanwhile I'm pleased with my progress to date. I'm not recommending anyone else try this experiment, just reporting my anecdotal results thus far.

There's a condition called, Dupuytren's Contracture that can cause a finger to contract like that, but usually it's the third or fourth finger that does that and then there's lump or swelling in the palm. Here's a link if interested:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-cond ... n-20024378" target="_blank

If all else fails, there is a relatively routine surgery which can release the pulley mechanism once again. I have heard nothing but good results from those who have had it done. It is surgery, however, so try the other options first. And, get a good HAND surgeon to perform it, not the usual ortho. There is a world of difference, trust me.

I have been fortunate to not have a lot a pain associated with this . Except for some very minor aching in the middle knuckle there hasn't been any other pain. Not even from the shot itself. It's been 5 days now and it seems to be going away. When I wake I the morning it is still a little stiff and will lock once or twice but then it's ok.
The hand surgeon who is treating me is Dr. JEB Stewart V . A direct descendant of General JEB Stewart . Here in Richmond he has a very good reputation as one of the best orthopedic surgeons around. I know of that surgery to fix this problem and trust him to be the best one to do it. I know of others that he has done surgery on and they have all had high praise for him. He has also done a in-patient procedure on be before. I had to get a "Giant Cell" ( non cancerous ) tumor removed from my right hand that was dangerously close to all those tendons that wrap around the base of the thumb. Because of the danger of slicing of those tendons and doing permanent damage to my hand he was recommended to do the surgery. It was removed successfully with no damage to my hand.
I have worked with my hands all my life and have used my palm like a hammer many times to bang down on a wrench to loosen or tighten nuts . I have also injured my hands many times working with different tools . I pretty sure all of that use and abuse is the cause of this problem. I'm really surprised that I don't have arthritis yet . It runs in my family and my dad suffered with it in both his hands and wrists.

I'm glad you are getting some relief! Surgery is for when you can't take it any longer. Been there, done that. Often, thanks to arthritis and a table saw.