Trigger finger and RA

[cross2]

Has anyone had trigger finger surgery and if so did it help?

[AgedCrone]

If you haven’t already tried it….I found having a steroid injection at the base of the finger fixed it.

[cross2 in reply to AgedCrone]

Yes so far been injected six times. The lastest on Saturday two into my finger and two into my thumb. The doctors tell me I have no space in the two joints in this finger at all. I can't bend it and keep knocking it against things. Also having nerve pain in it too. The doctor said it will take away the pain but fusing it will mean I can't use it. It's useless now as it is. I am just unsure what to do for the best.

[AgedCrone in reply to cross2]

Oh how difficult for you ……it’s quite a decision to be faced with. Have you seen a specialist hand surgeon or is it your GP/non specialist telling you this?

I hope it is pain free for now after the latest injection….so that if you haven’t already seen one,

you can decide what to do after searching around to get a specialist hand surgeon’s opinion?

Best of luck sorting this out….I hope somebody else might have more experience of the problem to help you.

[cross2 in reply to AgedCrone]

Living in Cambodia it is hard to find a good surgeon. An American doctor who works here specialised in RA and orthopaedics and had his own practice. I go to him regularly and is qualified to do it but I need to know what other peoples experiences were before I got for it. Thank you for replying .

[AgedCrone in reply to cross2]

Thankfully I had I think three steroid injections for trigger finger in the same hand, but different fingers……last one was about 5 years ago, & I haven’t had it since.

My immediate thought is …are you in Cambodia permanently…or could you hang on until you come back to England to actually find a specialist hand surgeon…or is the pain too awful to put up with?

If it doesn’t hurt too much that would at least leave the door open.

It is such a difficult decision to make…..have a real heart to heart with the American doctor.

Fingers crossed for you.

[cross2 in reply to AgedCrone]

I live in Cambodia and run a charity offering free daycare for children at risk. The last Rheumy I saw on a trip back to the UK told me I didn't have RA!! and I paid privately for that information. No blood tests just looked at my hands. My mum and her sister both had RA so it was in the family. This American doctor did bloods here and came back not only positive but my inflamation levels were 4 times what they should have been.

[AgedCrone in reply to cross2]

I am horrified to hear that…I do hope whatever you decide to do will turn out to be the right choice.Also hope you are able to get the RA drugs you need in Cambodia……your situation puts into perspective our niggles about waiting a month or two for an appointment …. ….

[cross2 in reply to AgedCrone]

The doctor is very good, had me on Methotrexate for one year which he has now changed to Hydroxyclorquine, Prednisone and an inhaler for my lungs as I now have COPD too!! Thank you for your support. Having to pay for private health insurance for treatment outside of the UK does have some benefits as I can see doctors much quicker and blood results given within one day.

[AgedCrone in reply to cross2]

Well thank goodness you are being looked after so well. I have lived abroad & although the NHS in the UK is excellent for emergencies…it is now so short staffed that appointments for conditions like RA often need to be supplemented by visits to Private Consultants…..which can mean having to pay for drugs as well as the treatment…but mostly we do get the NHS treatment we need…..eventually.I have recently waited weeks for blood test results…not the actual result….but for the consultant haematologist to get the report back.

I wish you well…do keep us up to date on how you are doing.

[springcross]

Yes. I had surgery after two failed injections a few years ago for the middle and ring fingers of one hand. It was brilliant and is still OK.

[cross2 in reply to springcross]

Good to know. Thank you

[Hidden]

Is trigger finger the same as Dupuytrens Contracture?This runs in our family and I’ve started to develop it. My Dad has it badly and GP said surgery had a 50/50 chance of success.

[springcross in reply to Hidden]

No, I don't think it is, although it is similar.

[cross2]

What conservative treatment did you get?

[ATBr]

After a series of injections I have had surgery on all 8 fingers over the last 4 years. All have worked well with the exception of one finger which had to be re done. Fingers are much better now though. When 3 fingers I had general but usually local anaesthetist. Hope you get the treatment that works for you.

[cross2 in reply to ATBr]

Did they fuse the joint or replace? I am trying to research this so I can talk to my consultant here in Cambodia.

[cross2]

Thank you for the information. As I have had this trigger finger for a number of years and have been misdiagnosed as not having RA, it is now of little use and I am having a lot of pain. This is the 3 time this year having steriod injections the latest last week, but no relief.

[ATBr]

Didn't either fuse or replace. Made a cut to the tendon sheath to stop the tendon from locking causing the triggering. Seems to have worked well. Sorry don't know the name of the procedure.

[cross2 in reply to ATBr]

Thank you I will talk to the doctor armed with all this information. Blessings to you all back in UK from a rather cold and wet Cambodia. Its 25 degrees today and we are usually up in the mid-30's so feeling a slight chilly. My staff all have jumpers and gloves on today...

[cross2]

Thank you I will talk to the doctor armed with all this information. Blessings to you all back in UK from a rather cold and wet Cambodia. Its 25 degrees today and we are usually up in the mid-30's so feeling a slight chilly. My staff all have jumpers and gloves on today...