Trigger Finger hand exercises Physiotherapy

Hand Exercises

Looking for exercises to treat Trigger Finger? Our physiotherapy in Mississauga offers effective hand exercises to alleviate Trigger Finger and improve hand mobility. These exercises are designed to maintain and develop free gilding between tendons and the bones of the wrist, hand and fingers.  There are 5 positions in which the fingers move during these exercises.  These include:

Scar Tissue Mobilization 

     The exercises stated above are to maintain and develop mobility between the long tendons and surrounding connective tissues.  Yes, those exercises do assist however, if there is inflammation and immobilization during healing treatments post trauma or surgery, adhesions will form as scars preventing the tendons from gliding smoothly.  Physical therapists will mobilize the scar tissue by use of friction massage directly to the affected area.  This friction massage performed by the physical therapist is when they apply pressure to the area at proximal and distal directions.  Once this force is applied to these adhesions it moves the scar.  

Different Intensities of Scar Tissue Mobilization 

The physiotherapist will begin by moving the tendon distally (close to fingers) by extending the finger joints and applying a sustained hold.  The patient will be asked to actively contract creating a stretching force against said adhesion using the exercises stated above.  

If the active and passive stretching noted above does not release the adhesion then the patient will be asked to fully extend their hand while the physical therapist stabilizes the hand and applies the friction massage in the stretched position.  The massage will be applied longitudinally both proximally and distally.  When the physical therapist is completing the massage in the proximal direction the patient will be asked to contract their flexor muscles.  Once the friction massage is completed the patient will be asked to complete the flexor gliding exercises to utilize gained range of motion.  

Trigger Finger 

     This is a condition where one of your fingers gets stuck in a bent position.  This is also known as stenosing tenosynovitis; it occurs when inflammation narrows the space within the sheath that surrounds the affected finger.  If it is very severe it may get locked in the bent position.  Some risk factors of trigger finger include repeated gripping, people with rheumatoid arthritis, your sex (more common in women), and if you underwent carpal tunnel syndrome surgery. 

Here are some non-invasive treatments physical therapists will suggest or perform on a patient with a trigger finger.  Rest is important by means of reducing the repetitive gripping or grasping of objects and vibrating objects for a prolonged period of time until symptoms improve.  If a patient cannot avoid these activities, then the use of padded gloves can offer a layer of protection.  A night splint can also be a suggestion as it will keep the finger in an extended position which helps rest the tendon.  Finally, stretching exercises the above stated exercises can assist along with more dynamic exercises the physiotherapist will prescribe in addition to heat modalities (wax and heat packs) to assist in the breaking up of adhesion in the affected finger.   

Looking for exercises to treat Trigger Finger? Our physiotherapy in Mississauga offers effective hand exercises to alleviate Trigger Finger and improve hand mobility.