Trigger Thumb Symptoms

One of the most common symptoms associated with Trigger Thumb is the "snapping" or "locking" of the PIP joint of the thumb, and second, the "snapping" or "locking" of the MP joint of the thumb into the palm of the hand. This most common symptom is experienced due to an adhesion or nodule that has developed on the thumb flexor tendon, most often resulting from scar tissue that has developed due to micro tears of the tendon.

Trigger Thumb, or stenosing tenosynovitis, can result from micro-tears by either direct trauma or chronic overuse.  The flexor pollicis longus tendon develops nodules / adhesions on it, which leads to increased friction as the tendon passes through the pulley system, resulting in the irritation and swelling of the tendon, its sheath and the associated nodules on the tendon.  This irritation / inflammation cycle increases the size of the nodules or adhesions, causing the dysfunction to greatly increase as the thumb is flexed over and over. 

Essentially, the nodule or adhesion on the affected tendon in the thumb gets trapped as it passes through the pulley system as the thumb is flexed but the thumb cannot return via extension in the same smooth manner due to the adhesion or nodule getting stuck or “catching” as it tries to pass back through the pulley system.  Because of this, the thumb tends to lock down into the palm of the hand as well as produces painful catching or clicking that is commonly associated with Trigger Thumb.

Performing corrective exercises with FLEXTEND® / RESTORE™ can reduce scar tissue on the tendon as well as help stretch and thin the tendon, allowing it to move freely through the pulley system. This training system is very simple and effective therapy, taking just minutes per day.

If I had known about FLEXTEND® when I first began to experience the symptoms of "trigger finger" I would have avoided the unpleasant and expensive treatments mentioned above.

Steve Roy

This System is ALL you Need!