Trigger Finger

[Mike K]

NOt sure where to put this post but wanted to see if anyone else had some experience with this. Started with trigger finger left hand 4th finger about a year ago. Got a shot and it helped for about 6 months. Issue is back and it makes it difficult to do some of the close fingering on the left hand especially on free bass. Not sticking a lot yet but tough to bend. I am likely going to have to schedule surgery. Wondering if anyone has any experience with recovery from it, how long before being able to play and any "side effects" from surgery.

 

[ColoRodney]

I had surgery a week ago (Trapeziectomy) to repair arthritis in my right hand thumb. I’m in a cast now, and that’ll be two weeks. Then I’ll have two months of recovery and physical therapy before I’ve planned any serious gigs. Your situation is likely to be different, but I don’t know how. Find an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hands, and get the x-rays, and they can give you an idea.

For the interim, I have a melodica and it gives me something to play with my left hand. Melodicas are designed for right hand playing, so you should definitely get one to play during recovery!

And best of luck to you if you do need surgery.

 

[debra]

NOt sure where to put this post but wanted to see if anyone else had some experience with this. Started with trigger finger left hand 4th finger about a year ago. Got a shot and it helped for about 6 months. Issue is back and it makes it difficult to do some of the close fingering on the left hand especially on free bass. Not sticking a lot yet but tough to bend. I am likely going to have to schedule surgery. Wondering if anyone has any experience with recovery from it, how long before being able to play and any "side effects" from surgery.

A friend of mine had the trigger finger problem on her right hand (middle finger I believe) and that made playing the accordion very hard. She had surgery and after some recovery period it was almost "good as new".

 

[Alan Sharkis]

NOt sure where to put this post but wanted to see if anyone else had some experience with this. Started with trigger finger left hand 4th finger about a year ago. Got a shot and it helped for about 6 months. Issue is back and it makes it difficult to do some of the close fingering on the left hand especially on free bass. Not sticking a lot yet but tough to bend. I am likely going to have to schedule surgery. Wondering if anyone has any experience with recovery from it, how long before being able to play and any "side effects" from surgery.

I’ve had tons of experiences with trigger fingers. Some responded to injections (limit 3 per finger in my case.) Others didn’t respond after the third injection and were surgically released.

It’s always best to check with the doctor who did your last injection.

 

[SteveBox]

I had a trigger finger, also on the 4th finger of the left hand, first noticed about two years ago. I did wonder if the ring I've worn on that finger for 30 years had anything to do with it. I discussed it with my doctor who suggested shots, and ultimately surgery if necessary. It was not affecting my accordion playing (I don't play free bass), so I did nothing. Over a year or so, it gradually went away, and today I no longer have it. So I think trigger fingers can correct themselves, if you are patient.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

I had a trigger finger, also on the 4th finger of the left hand, first noticed about two years ago. I did wonder if the ring I've worn on that finger for 30 years had anything to do with it. I discussed it with my doctor who suggested shots, and ultimately surgery if necessary. It was not affecting my accordion playing (I don't play free bass), so I did nothing. Over a year or so, it gradually went away, and today I no longer have it. So I think trigger fingers can correct themselves, if you are patient.

Sometimes that happens, but more often they get to the point where you need the other hand to unbend them, along with a lot of pain. If that happens, they must be released by surgery.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

Every

I had a trigger finger, also on the 4th finger of the left hand, first noticed about two years ago. I did wonder if the ring I've worn on that finger for 30 years had anything to do with it. I discussed it with my doctor who suggested shots, and ultimately surgery if necessary. It was not affecting my accordion playing (I don't play free bass), so I did nothing. Over a year or so, it gradually went away, and today I no longer have it. So I think trigger fingers can correct themselves, if you are patient.

I’m sure the doctor explained that the ring was not the cause of your trigger finger.

 

[SteveBox]

I’m sure the doctor explained that the ring was not the cause of your trigger finger.

Yes, that is what he said. I am still suspicious. Why only the finger with the ring? By my understanding, a trigger finger is caused by a swollen and inflamed tendon. Could a ring, if it is too tight, have caused this?