One of the body parts we use the most in a day is the fingers. Due to frequent use, inflammation or diseases can easily develop. In particular, middle-aged women often experience a finger condition called "trigger finger." What kind of condition is this?

 

Trigger finger is a condition characterized by inflammation or swelling (swelling due to tissue buildup) of the finger tendons, causing a clicking sound and pain when moving the finger. It commonly occurs in the middle and ring fingers, and can also develop in the thumb. If you experience clicking, pain, and stiffness in your fingers, you should suspect trigger finger.

 

If you feel resistance when bending and then straightening the middle and ring fingers, or if you hear a loud "click" sound when applying force to straighten them, it is highly likely to be trigger finger. Repeated long-term use of the hand can worsen the symptoms.

Trigger finger particularly occurs in people who perform repetitive household chores, frequently type on computer keyboards, or engage in leisure activities such as golf or tennis. It can also develop secondarily due to conditions like diabetes, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis. According to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the number of trigger finger patients in Korea was 269,178 last year, showing a continuous increasing trend, with a significantly higher number of female patients in their 50s and 60s.

 

Trigger finger can improve with sufficient rest unless the discomfort is very severe. However, if symptoms do not improve, medication or injection therapy can be administered at the hospital. If the finger still cannot bend properly, surgery should be considered. This involves a simple procedure under local anesthesia to widen the tendon tunnel, which takes about 10 minutes.

 

To prevent trigger finger, it is good to avoid putting strain on your fingers and to perform regular stretching. Finger stretching involves placing your palm down on a desk and slowly lifting each finger one by one. Repeat this every one or two hours during work. Soaking your hands in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes before bed also helps relax the muscles and improve blood circulation.

 

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I worked hard on paraffin massage before summer came.

Maybe because it's hot, I don't do it anymore.

 

It's true that your fingers are suffering all day long...

 

They say it would be nice if you play with Jam Jam too and gently massage his hands.