The "Fast on the Trigger" Story

It was an ordinary day. Looking over the brochure that a friend gave me on "Trigger Finger." February 20 will see me back at the doctor's for surgery on the two middle fingers on my right hand. Can't open them at times in the morning for a few hours and when I do get them to open, it hurts! Maybe half a dozen years ago I had the same surgery on my right thumb. Now that works perfect and I'm hoping the same will be true for my fingers. Doctor told me that the three last fingers on you hand are used for gripping and to hold onto items. I have noticed in the past couple of years that when using the printing press at Manheim Township High School and trying to make adjustments on it, I can't turn the controls unless I use a wrench or pliers. My grip is not as strong as it used to be. Also notice that when I shake someone's hand, I can't grasp it as hard and it causes pain when I do shake a hand. Well, time to get it fixed. Doctor wanted me to do it in December, but with the holidays and the slow recovery from back surgery, I opted until the start of the new year. That is now here and I will have it taken care of in the next month or two. Trigger finger is an inflammation of tissue inside your finger or thumb. Tendons in your finger allow you to bend the joints and can become swollen and inflamed. When that happens the covering of the tendon known as the sheath will not allow the tendon to move freely, thus your finger will not open. Caused by too much use or repeated use of the fingers, arthritis or an injury. In my case it is probably repeated use since I use my right hand all the time at the framing shop where I work as well as when I run the printing press. During surgery the sheath that surrounds the tendon is opened to enlarge the space and release the swollen tendon. Sounds simple and it really is simple. Takes about 20 minutes under a local anesthetic and they wrap it with a bandage. Doctor told me I still could use my fingertips to do things such as use a keyboard. Stitches come out and the bandages are off in two weeks. Now I know there are always risks with any king of surgery, but the only risk I fear is getting sick in the stomach when they start telling me what they are doing during the operation. Don't want to know, just do it! For those who have trouble opening your fingers or have loss of strength in your fingers, go have it repaired. It is such an easy surgery and the benefits are great. I'll let you know how I make out. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - drawings show the structure of the finger and how they correct "Trigger Finger" by opening the sheath that surrounds the tendon.