Trigger Finger

BANG · April 5, 2014, 08:35 AM

I need you experience/opinion on a problem I have. I shoot trap and sporting clays, and periodically my trigger finger just does not move to pull the trigger or pulls late. Either way, I often miss the shot.

I was analysed by a specialist that I have what is referred to as "Trigger Finger" (short name). The medical fix was to receive an operation for Tunnel Syndrom, where my wrists received a one-inch slit and the doctor did his buisness. I was told that this operation is really to corredt numbness and tingling in my fingers, which it did.

For about three months after the operation, my trigger finger worked well. Now, the problem is back.

Any suggestions from those with this problem?

jaguarxk120 · April 5, 2014, 10:22 AM

The problem is in the hand where the tendon moves over the "pulley".

Look up trigger finger again and look for the operation where the surgeon go's in from your palm and corrects the problem.

My doctor gave me a steroid injection at the "pulley" and it corrected the problem. Good Luck

Slopemeno · April 5, 2014, 12:09 PM

Common problem for those of us with a few more miles on them. I have a friend who flys R/C and he has it from gripping the transmitter, but he doesn't want the surgery.

Doc TH · April 5, 2014, 09:52 PM

I believe Jaguar is correct. It seems to me you are describing what is called flexor tendon tenosynovitis, occasionally nicknamed "trigger finger" because the involved digit can occasionally "stick" in a position that resembles a finger pulling a trigger. Treatment is by steroid injection into the tendon sheath. If that is ineffective a minor surgical procedure can open up the tendon sheath.

drcook · April 6, 2014, 06:39 AM

It would be best to see a Dr that specializes in hands. They are more familiar with the anatomy of the hand and place the injection exactly where it is needed. Not saying other othorpedic docs are not competent, just someone that does it all the time and as their main line of work have more familiarity with the procedure.

I notice you are in Pa and there should be some really good docs there, HOWEVER, if you need them and your insurance would cover them, some of the best doctors, facilities in the country are here in Ohio. The Crystal Clinic, University Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic to name a few.

BANG · April 6, 2014, 06:52 AM

Thanks all for your replys.

I made a mistake in my post saying that the one-inch slit was in my wrist. The inscision was in the base of the hand in the manner sugested by Jaguar. I have discussed this with the doc (surgeon) and his answer was that the operation was to reduce the tingling and numbness in the hand, which it did. And, no guarantee to fix the "trigger finger" problem.

I'll continue shooting and live with this problem. It doesn't always occur and I'm 75 years old.

Dreaming100Straight · April 9, 2014, 12:45 AM

It wouldn't hurt to see a hand specialist, or another even if the one doing that procedure is a hand specialist, as Drs. Cook and TH suggest. I can't help but wonder if you have the so called trigger finger or a flinch.

mete · April 9, 2014, 01:15 AM

Dreaming --That's why competition shotgunners sometimes use a release trigger !

BANG · April 9, 2014, 06:59 AM

I have seen a specialist of which I have been told is one of the best in the area--in south central PA.

I have thought of the release trigger, but decided that I would rather live with the problem. I shoot with several who use a release trigger.

I have both a slight flinch and the problem with the diagnosed "trigger finger". Both are totally different.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Dreaming100Straight · April 10, 2014, 01:05 AM

I heard, Mete. I am 66 and sometimes worry that I am developing a flinch. I suppose someday it is inevitable. Meanwhile I got my o/u pretty well fitted and added a nice thick Kick-eze.

BigJimP · April 11, 2014, 12:18 PM

Don't forget a lot of "flinch" issues ...are related to "eyesight" issues..where you are not seeing the target clearly, or if it blurs out...for any number of eye/vision problems.

Dreaming100Straight · April 11, 2014, 04:18 PM

Concerning eyesight issues, I shot at a club with a shot screen all across the back of the fields and my scores jumped quite a bit. I think it had to do with the sharper contrast between the orange target and the greenish grey screen.

April 5, 2014, 08:35 AM	#1
BANG Member Join Date: March 13, 2010 Location: PA Posts: 69	Trigger Finger I need you experience/opinion on a problem I have. I shoot trap and sporting clays, and periodically my trigger finger just does not move to pull the trigger or pulls late. Either way, I often miss the shot. I was analysed by a specialist that I have what is referred to as "Trigger Finger" (short name). The medical fix was to receive an operation for Tunnel Syndrom, where my wrists received a one-inch slit and the doctor did his buisness. I was told that this operation is really to corredt numbness and tingling in my fingers, which it did. For about three months after the operation, my trigger finger worked well. Now, the problem is back. Any suggestions from those with this problem?

April 6, 2014, 06:39 AM	#5
drcook Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2009 Posts: 285	It would be best to see a Dr that specializes in hands. They are more familiar with the anatomy of the hand and place the injection exactly where it is needed. Not saying other othorpedic docs are not competent, just someone that does it all the time and as their main line of work have more familiarity with the procedure. I notice you are in Pa and there should be some really good docs there, HOWEVER, if you need them and your insurance would cover them, some of the best doctors, facilities in the country are here in Ohio. The Crystal Clinic, University Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic to name a few. __________________ dr = david r. not Doctor, but thanks for the compliment, most folks just call me dave

April 9, 2014, 01:15 AM	#8
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Dreaming --That's why competition shotgunners sometimes use a release trigger ! __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

April 5, 2014, 10:22 AM	#2
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	The problem is in the hand where the tendon moves over the "pulley". Look up trigger finger again and look for the operation where the surgeon go's in from your palm and corrects the problem. My doctor gave me a steroid injection at the "pulley" and it corrected the problem. Good Luck

April 5, 2014, 12:09 PM	#3
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	Common problem for those of us with a few more miles on them. I have a friend who flys R/C and he has it from gripping the transmitter, but he doesn't want the surgery.

April 5, 2014, 09:52 PM	#4
Doc TH Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2005 Posts: 633	I believe Jaguar is correct. It seems to me you are describing what is called flexor tendon tenosynovitis, occasionally nicknamed "trigger finger" because the involved digit can occasionally "stick" in a position that resembles a finger pulling a trigger. Treatment is by steroid injection into the tendon sheath. If that is ineffective a minor surgical procedure can open up the tendon sheath.

April 6, 2014, 06:52 AM	#6
BANG Member Join Date: March 13, 2010 Location: PA Posts: 69	Thanks all for your replys. I made a mistake in my post saying that the one-inch slit was in my wrist. The inscision was in the base of the hand in the manner sugested by Jaguar. I have discussed this with the doc (surgeon) and his answer was that the operation was to reduce the tingling and numbness in the hand, which it did. And, no guarantee to fix the "trigger finger" problem. I'll continue shooting and live with this problem. It doesn't always occur and I'm 75 years old.

April 9, 2014, 12:45 AM	#7
Dreaming100Straight Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2013 Posts: 1,235	It wouldn't hurt to see a hand specialist, or another even if the one doing that procedure is a hand specialist, as Drs. Cook and TH suggest. I can't help but wonder if you have the so called trigger finger or a flinch.

April 9, 2014, 06:59 AM	#9
BANG Member Join Date: March 13, 2010 Location: PA Posts: 69	I have seen a specialist of which I have been told is one of the best in the area--in south central PA. I have thought of the release trigger, but decided that I would rather live with the problem. I shoot with several who use a release trigger. I have both a slight flinch and the problem with the diagnosed "trigger finger". Both are totally different. Thanks for your suggestions.

April 10, 2014, 01:05 AM	#10
Dreaming100Straight Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2013 Posts: 1,235	I heard, Mete. I am 66 and sometimes worry that I am developing a flinch. I suppose someday it is inevitable. Meanwhile I got my o/u pretty well fitted and added a nice thick Kick-eze.

April 11, 2014, 12:18 PM	#11
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Don't forget a lot of "flinch" issues ...are related to "eyesight" issues..where you are not seeing the target clearly, or if it blurs out...for any number of eye/vision problems.

April 11, 2014, 04:18 PM	#12
Dreaming100Straight Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2013 Posts: 1,235	Concerning eyesight issues, I shot at a club with a shot screen all across the back of the fields and my scores jumped quite a bit. I think it had to do with the sharper contrast between the orange target and the greenish grey screen.