I’ve developed trigger finger and it means I can’t bend my thumb. My pharmacist suggested resting it and applying anti-inflammatory cream but that hasn’t worked. What would you recommend?
Trigger finger is a painful condition which makes it difficult to bend the fingers and sometimes the thumb.
Joints in the fingers and thumb move smoothly thanks to tendons – the connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone. These hand tendons can become swollen or inflamed, leading to trigger finger. At its mildest, the finger clicks when bent but it can become impossible to bend.
The inflamed area can also be painful to touch.
Trigger finger can happen to anyone, but it is more likely in people with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and those with hand injuries like repetitive strains.
In many cases, trigger finger will get better on its own after a few weeks without any treatment. But patients might want to use over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol to manage the pain. It’s also important to avoid activities that might inflame it further, such as sports or excessive typing.
Some patients find that splinting the finger or thumb overnight speeds up recovery. This keeps the finger straight and stops it from moving while you sleep, reducing inflammation. They can be bought online or from many pharmacies.
Steroid injections can sometimes be helpful for trigger finger.
Trigger finger is a painful condition which makes it difficult to bend the fingers and sometimes the thumb
They are thought to reduce inflammation in around two-thirds of patients and can be repeated if necessary.
In cases where trigger finger persists despite multiple forms of treatment, surgery may be an option. The NHS offers this procedure, which takes place under local anaesthetic, to release the tendon. If a GP believes a patient might benefit from this procedure, they can be referred to a hospital specialist. But the GP will likely want to try all other measures first before surgery is considered.
I recently found out I have a spinal condition called thoracic syrinx. I only learned this after I had an MRI for my sciatica. The doctor said I shouldn’t be worried, but I read online that it needs monitoring. Should I be concerned?
Thoracic syrinx is the medical term for a cyst that develops on the spinal cord.
These fluid-filled sacs are not necessarily harmful. It’s common for people to develop cysts in various places in the body, but these usually resolve themselves, requiring no medical attention.
However, a thoracic syrinx can be dangerous if it gets larger over time and begins to press on the spinal cord. Since all the nerves in the body connecting the brain to the muscles run through the spinal cord, this can cause a number of problems.
Pain, weakness, numbness or pins and needles are all symptoms of an advanced thoracic syrinx.
A spinal cord injury can make thoracic syrinx more likely. As can a condition called chiari malformation, where the lower part of the brain pushes down onto the top of the spinal cord.
If the syrinx is not causing any symptoms, then there is no reason to treat it, though patients may need regular MRI scans to see if the cyst is growing.
When symptoms do arise, the syrinx can be treated by draining the fluid using something called a shunt – this is a drainage tube inserted into the body to channel the fluid elsewhere.
I have been suffering with a cluster of white, painful spots on my tongue. I started wearing dentures around the time they developed, as well as starting HRT tablets and gel. What could be the source of the problem?
One of the most common reasons for white spots in the mouth is a virus called herpes simplex or HSV.
This is the virus most people associate with cold sores but it can also affect the inside of the mouth. There is no cure for the virus meaning that once infected, it remains with patients for life.
Typically, however, these mouth sores come and go, the same as cold sores. Some people find that stress or other illnesses make the sores worse. It’s possible that changes inside the mouth, such as new dentures or dental work could lead to a flare-up.
Some women with the virus find that their HSV symptoms get worse during their periods. However, there is no reason why HRT would impact the sores.
GPs can prescribe an anti-viral tablet which work well against recurrent HSV infections. Some patients who frequently get this infection are also offered regular, smaller doses of these drugs to prevent them returning in the first place.
Saline mouthwashes can also help, as these have an antiseptic effect, reducing the risk of an infection returning. When the outbreaks occur, there are pain-relieving mouth washes that a pharmacist can prescribe.
Over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen should also help.
A beastly problem – but is NHS offering right help?
Gorillas are the only animals other than humans to get haemorrhoids
Did you know that gorillas are the only animals other than humans to get haemorrhoids? Because, like us, they walk upright – and the effect of gravity on the blood vessels is part of what leads to the swellings inside the bottom.
It’s a fun fact I learned recently but perhaps one of the only amusing things about the common condition, also called piles. I am concerned the NHS isn’t offering enough treatment.
GPs like myself recommend laxatives and suppositories but when these don’t work, we refer to hospital specialists. Waiting lists are long and subject to strict criteria. Surgical treatments include injections and shrinking the piles but I wonder how many people are actually offered this.
Have you suffered waiting for treatment, or been denied it? Please write to me and let me know.
Simple fixes can be the best
I’m always delighted to hear from readers who have been helped by the advice on our Health pages, but one in particular made an impression.
Thanks to our recent article on dizziness and an explanation of the incredibly simple Epley manoeuvre, one reader has been able to get some relief – after 20 years of feeling dizzy.
He describes getting the treatment as life changing.
It was as simple for him as going to a GP who was able to do the manoeuvre – which can even be done at home, with plenty of helpful videos showing how to do it safely available on YouTube.
It involves very specific head movements and postures that cause fluid and debris to move in the inner ear relieving the problem. It is so simple and yet, as my reader found, it can have astounding results.
- Do you have a question for Dr Ellie Cannon? Email [email protected]
- Dr Cannon cannot enter into personal correspondence and her replies should be taken in a general context
