Injection Didn’t Fix Trigger Finger? Here’s Why! [Guide]

Why Your Trigger Finger Might Still Hurt Even After an Injection: A Guide

It’s frustrating, we understand. You got an injection for your trigger finger, hoping for relief, but it’s "still not good after injection trigger finger for 2 week". Let’s explore the common reasons why this happens and what you can do.

Understanding Trigger Finger and Injections

First, let’s recap what trigger finger is and how injections are supposed to help.

• What is Trigger Finger? Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) occurs when the tendon in your finger or thumb gets irritated and inflamed. This makes it difficult for the tendon to glide smoothly through the sheath that surrounds it. Sometimes, a nodule forms on the tendon, making it catch and lock.

• How Do Steroid Injections Help? The most common type of injection uses corticosteroids. These medications reduce inflammation around the tendon and within the tendon sheath. This allows the tendon to glide more freely, reducing the catching and locking sensation.

Common Reasons for Persistent Symptoms (Still Not Good After Injection Trigger Finger for 2 Week)

Several factors can contribute to the lack of improvement, even two weeks after a steroid injection. Here are some of the most common culprits:

Incomplete Pain Relief Immediately After Injection is Not a Good Sign

If you never experienced any pain relief after the injection, you need to discuss this with your doctor.

• Delayed Onset: Steroid injections don’t work instantly. It can take several days, sometimes even a week or two, for the medication to fully take effect and reduce the inflammation. The two-week timeframe is important, but patience is key to a degree.

  • Timeline Variations: Everyone responds differently. Some people experience significant relief within a few days, while others need the full two weeks to see noticeable improvement.

• Severity of the Condition: If your trigger finger was quite severe before the injection (e.g., frequent locking, significant pain, a large nodule on the tendon), it might take longer for the injection to provide substantial relief, or it might not be enough on its own.

  • More Severe Cases May Require Surgery: Very stubborn cases, or those with severe tendon thickening, might ultimately require surgical release.
  • Pre-injection Condition Matters: The state of the tendon and sheath before the injection significantly impacts the outcome.

• Incorrect Injection Placement: In rare cases, the injection might not have been administered into the correct location around the tendon sheath. This can reduce its effectiveness. If you never got any pain relief from the injection, this is a possible explanation.

• Co-existing Conditions: Other underlying conditions, such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, can sometimes affect the effectiveness of steroid injections and delay healing.

• Need for a Second Injection: Sometimes, one injection isn’t enough. If there is still significant inflammation and triggering after a few weeks, your doctor might recommend a second injection.

What to Do If You’re Still Experiencing Symptoms

If you’re "still not good after injection trigger finger for 2 week", here’s a practical approach:

1. Continue with Home Care: Even with an injection, continue to practice good hand care:

   • Rest: Avoid activities that aggravate your trigger finger.
   • Splinting: A splint can help keep your finger in a straight position, reducing pressure on the tendon. It is best to use a splint at night.
   • Warm Soaks: Soaking your hand in warm water can help reduce stiffness.
   • Gentle Exercises: If you haven’t already started, ask your doctor or physical therapist about gentle range-of-motion exercises to prevent stiffness.

2. Track Your Symptoms: Keep a record of your pain levels, the frequency of triggering, and any activities that seem to worsen your symptoms. This information will be valuable when you talk to your doctor.

3. Consult Your Doctor: The most important step is to follow up with the doctor who administered the injection. They can assess your progress, rule out other potential causes of your pain, and discuss further treatment options. Be prepared to discuss:

   • The severity and frequency of your symptoms.
   • What activities worsen the problem.
   • Any other relevant medical history.

4. Consider Other Treatment Options: If the injection isn’t providing sufficient relief, other options include:

   • Second Injection: As mentioned earlier, a second injection might be beneficial, provided there were at least some improvements after the first injection.
   • Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can teach you exercises and stretches to improve tendon gliding and reduce pain.
   • Surgery: Surgical release of the A1 pulley (the tight band that is constricting the tendon) is a more permanent solution for severe or persistent trigger finger.

Table: Potential Treatment Outcomes Post-Injection

Outcome	Likely Cause	Recommended Action
No improvement at all	Incorrect injection placement, severe condition	Consult doctor, re-evaluate diagnosis, consider imaging
Some improvement, but still triggering	Incomplete response, underlying condition, activity aggravation	Continue home care, discuss second injection or physical therapy with doctor
Initial improvement, then return of symptoms	Inflammation returning, overuse	Review activity modifications, consider splinting, discuss further treatment options with doctor
Complete relief	Injection successfully reduced inflammation and allowed tendon gliding	Continue with preventative measures (avoiding repetitive motions, etc.) to prevent recurrence. Consult if symptoms return.

So, what’s the next step if you’re still not good after injection trigger finger for 2 week? Don’t lose hope! Chat with your doctor, explore your options, and you’ll be back to using your hand pain-free before you know it. Good luck!