My Bubble: I've Got Trigger Finger!

When I was much much much younger ... during my primary days, I loved watching those classic TV westerns like Bonanza, Rawhide, High Chapparal, Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel and all the likes. These series usually feature cowboys, bounty hunters, lawmen, outlaws or gunslingers who wear Stetson hats, bandannas, gun belts and spurs, twirling their revolvers and rifles and showcasing their fast-draws to survive spur-of-the-moment gunfights in the wild west.

Compulsive trigger-happy ... they'll just pull the trigger ... click and it's BANG BANG BANG!!!

Unfortunately, trigger-happy I'm definitely not ... but the trigger is still on me coz I've got Trigger Finger!

According to my doc who's a hands and microsurgeon specialist, this is a medical condition that can happen to anyone at any age ... too much computer work or too much playstation/psp games. However, it is more common in women above 45 years due to the onset of hormonal imbalances and slacking blood circulation.

What's a trigger finger? It's a problem that causes pain and snapping of the tendons in the fingers. This is due to the inflammation of the tendons of the fingers. The inflammation causes the tendons to swell and restrict the constriction of the tendon during flexes within the sheath in which these tendons are protected. When this happens, the affected finger will remain flexed even at a relaxed state and when forced is gathered, the trigger finger will suddenly extend, like pulling a trigger! If this condition is left unresolved, the finger may ultimately remain jammed in the long run.

The solution = a steroid injection which is not guaranteed (may recur) or a day surgery for more permanent recovery. I've opted for the steroid injection as an initial solution whereby the effectiveness will only be known after 6 months.

Right now I'm experiencing numbness in my palm and I'm to expect some build-up of pain too in the next few days. My trigger finger is only expected to start disappearing beginning about 2 weeks' time. I'm really hoping for the best and that this steroid injection will be a permanent solution.



Let's Be Thankful!