Do you have unexplained pain in your palm or does your thumb or fingers “catch” or “lock” when you bend it and try to straighten it? You’re likely experiencing trigger finger, a common condition affecting older women. At Hands for Living, our team of hand and occupational therapists can help you treat, manage, and prevent trigger finger.
SPECIALTY EXPERTISE For Shoulders, Arms, and Hands
The Relationship Between Trigger Finger and Perimenopause NEWSLETTER
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SPECIALTY EXPERTISE For Shoulders, Arms, and Hands
NEWSLETTER
The Relationship Between Trigger Finger and Perimenopause Hand Therapy Can Help Treat This Frustrating Side Effect of The Change
Contact us to schedule an appointment! handsforliving.com
Do you have unexplained pain in your palm or does your thumb or fingers “catch” or “lock” when you bend it and try to straighten it? You’re likely experiencing trigger finger, a common condition affecting older women. At Hands for Living, our team of hand and occupational therapists can help you treat, manage, and prevent trigger finger. Trigger finger results from inflammation of the tendons in your hand responsible for bending your fingers. The damage to the tendons can cause your finger — typically the ring finger or the thumb — to snap in and out of a hooked position. Women are more vulnerable than men to developing trigger finger, particularly as they get older. In fact, there’s some evidence that the condition is linked to perimenopause, as the change in hormones during that time can lead to increased swelling and inflammation in the joints.
If you’re struggling with trigger finger, the experts at Hands for Living can help treat the condition so you can go back to living your life without impairment! What Are the Symptoms of Trigger Finger? The most apparent symptom of trigger finger is the motion that earns the condition its name: your finger suddenly locking into a bent shape, then popping back out again. However, you may notice these additional symptoms as well: • Painless clicking when you move your finger • Painful catching or popping in the joints • Stiffness or swelling, particularly in the morning • Difficulty straightening your finger out completely • Pain in the palm or the fingers
Our therapists can help you determine if you’re experiencing trigger finger. The Causes of Trigger Finger — and the Connections to Perimenopause It’s not always clear why someone develops trigger finger. It may be linked to repetitive movements, such as typing or playing a musical instrument. Your risk of developing trigger finger also increases if you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, hypothyroidism, or rheumatoid arthritis. However, the prevalence of trigger finger among women in their 50s suggests a link to perimenopause. Perimenopause describes the period that marks the transition into menopause. Both perimenopause and menopause bring a host of side effects, including increased joint pain.
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As your body shifts toward menopause, your estrogen levels start to decline. One of the many things estrogen does is protect your joints from inflammation. As your estrogen level drops, your joints become more susceptible to stiffness and inflammation. And because trigger finger is a result of inflammation in the finger joints, you become more susceptible to trigger finger, too. While trigger finger can make it difficult to live your day-to-day life, the hand therapists at Hands for Living offer several treatment options to treat the condition. How Hand Therapy Can Treat Trigger Finger The dedicated hand therapists at Hands for Living will start by conducting a physical evaluation to examine the current levels of mobility in your hand and fingers. Treating Trigger Finger << continued from previous page
From there, we’ll design a personalized treatment plan based on your needs. The first step in treatment will likely involve creating an orthotic to help articulate and immobilize the affected finger. An orthotic is a brace designed to fit your specific finger and will help relieve pain, improve your range of motion, and increase strength in the affected area. Orthotics are an important part of treatment for trigger finger and can help you avoid invasive surgery. One of our hand therapists will help you learn to use your hands and fingers while wearing your device, helping you stay active during your recovery so you can continue to do the tasks that are important to you. Your treatment plan will also include a series of strength and range of motion exercises to complement your orthotic. Our therapists will teach you several different exercises you can do with your custom device to make sure the affected area maintains strength and function. Call Us to Schedule Your Appointment Today! At Hands for Living, our goal is to help you regain the function of your hand so you can get back to doing the activities you love. If you’re struggling with trigger finger, or if you just want to learn more about how menopause can affect your joints, call Hands for Living to schedule an appointment today! Sources: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Trigger Finger https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2053369118757537 https://www.hindawi.com/journals/cmmm/2022/8104345/
Trigger Finger
Name Change!
Hand Therapy Northwest is changing its name to Hands for Living – Redmond. Same great therapists, same great location, and same great results! Give us a call to schedule your next appointment.
Shortbread Lemon Tart
Staff Spotlight
Filling • 3 large eggs • 1-1/4 cups sugar
Samuel Macario MOT, OTR/L
• 1/4 cup lemon juice • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest • 1/4 cup butter, melted Crust • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar • 1/2 cup ground almonds • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Samuel graduated from AdventHealth University, where he earned his master’s in Occupational Therapy. He has gained valuable experience through clinical fieldwork at an Outpatient Orthopedic Clinic and a Skilled
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest • 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed • additional confectioners’ sugar • Fresh raspberries, optional
Nursing Facility in Orlando, FL where he provided patient-centered care and helped patients to overcome their physical limitations. As a skilled Occupational Therapist, Samuel has experience in developing and implementing treatment plans that focus on improving patients’ daily living skills and overall quality of life. He has a passion for helping individuals of all ages and abilities to reach their full potential and achieve their goals. He is dedicated to providing the highest level of care to patients and is committed to ongoing professional development. His next goal is to become a Certificated Hand Therapist. In his free time, Samuel enjoys cycling, freediving, keeping aquariums, reading, cooking, and spending time with his wife and exploring the Seattle area. Education • 2022: AdventHealth University- Master of Occupational Therapy • 2020: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology-Walla Walla University
Let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk together eggs, sugar, lemon juice and orange zest. Whisk in butter until smooth. Set aside. For crust, pulse first 6 ingredients in a food processor until mixture forms a ball. Press dough onto the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9-in. fluted tart pan with removable bottom. Pour lemon mixture into crust. Bake until center is almost set, 25-30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Just before serving, sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar and, if desired, fresh raspberries.
Recipe & photo: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/shortbread-lemon-tart/
Home Exercise
Get Back To Living!
Start by sitting in a chair with your arm resting on a table. Grab your index finger with your free hand’s thumb and index finger and extend it at your middle knuckle. 1 rep, 2 sets, 30 seconds hold FINGER EXTENSION STRETCH
LYNNWOOD Hands for Living – Lynnwood (425) 368-7943 REDMOND Hands for Living – Redmond (formerly Hand Therapy Northwest) (425) 881-1921
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