Trigger Finger’s Hidden Dangers: A Powerful Warning for Your Health

Trigger finger or stenosing tenosynovitis is when one or more fingers become stiff, painful, or locked when bent.

While often attributed to overuse or injury, recent research highlights a deeper concern: the trigger finger may be a marker for underlying severe diseases, including fibrosis syndromes, cardiac amyloidosis, and cardiovascular disease, especially in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

1. Internal Organ Fibrosis and Trigger Finger

An article by Phatak et al. [1] hypothesized that since trigger fingers are caused by fibrosis, there is a buildup of excess connective tissue, so it may be possible that they are an external manifestation of fibrosis in the internal organs.

That’s because fibrosis is not confined to a single organ; it often represents a systemic syndrome, affecting multiple organs simultaneously or progressively like the following:

• Liver and Kidney Connection:
  Studies indicate individuals with liver fibrosis have a five-fold increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• Heart and Lung Links:
  Fibrosis in the liver, as measured by advanced imaging, has been linked to cardiovascular conditions like diabetic cardiomyopathy, diastolic dysfunction, and heart failure. Similarly, lung stiffness correlates with a higher risk of CKD.
• Musculoskeletal and Soft Tissue Fibrosis:
  Conditions like Dupuytren’s disease—another hand-related fibrotic condition—are associated with a three-fold higher risk of liver disease.
• Adipose tissue (fat) fibrosis

These findings suggest a common fibrosis pathway driven by shared mechanisms, including inflammation, small vessel dysfunction, and fibroblast activation.

Implication for Trigger Finger

As a form of soft tissue fibrosis, a trigger finger could be an early indicator of broader fibrotic conditions affecting internal organs.

Individuals diagnosed with trigger fingers should be evaluated for signs of systemic fibrosis, especially if they have other risk factors like diabetes.

2. Cardiac Amyloidosis and Trigger Finger

The Connection

Cardiac amyloidosis occurs when abnormal protein deposits accumulate in heart tissues, impairing function. Research [2] has found:

• During trigger finger release surgery, 2% of patients showed amyloid deposits in the tenosynovium (the connective tissue surrounding the affected tendon).
• Though this percentage is lower than the 10% yield found during carpal tunnel release surgery, it underscores the potential relationship between hand conditions and systemic amyloidosis.

Implication for Trigger Finger

Trigger fingers, particularly in older adults, may warrant screening for amyloidosis, especially if other risk factors like proteinuric kidney disease or carpal tunnel syndrome are present.

Proteinuric kidney disease is caused by damaged kidney filters that allow proteins to leak into the urine. It is commonly associated with diabetes. You can screen for that at home using a urine test strip like this: Urinalysis Strips for Protein in Urine (30 Pack)

3. Cardiovascular Disease and Trigger Finger

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels. Some types of CVD include:

Over 5.6 years of follow-up, individuals with trigger fingers had a 3.33 times higher risk of developing CVD after adjusting for other factors.

Implication for Trigger Finger

Trigger finger could be a red flag for cardiovascular risk, particularly in diabetic patients. Early management of both trigger finger and associated risk factors like high blood sugar, hypertension, and kidney dysfunction is critical.

Recommendations: Act Early to Reverse the Trigger Finger

If you or someone you know is diagnosed with trigger finger, it’s essential to view it not just as a localized condition but as a potential warning sign of systemic diseases, including:

1. Fibrosis syndromes (affecting liver, kidney, and heart).
2. Cardiac amyloidosis.
3. Cardiovascular disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Steps to Take

1. Consult a Specialist:
   • Seek evaluation from a rheumatologist or endocrinologist to rule out systemic conditions.
   • Imaging or non-invasive tests should be considered to assess fibrosis or cardiac health if risk factors are present.
2. Improve Blood Sugar Control:
   • High blood sugar exacerbates fibrosis and vascular damage. If necessary, work with a healthcare provider to manage glucose levels through diet, exercise, and medications.
   • It’s Here: Blood Sugar Lowering Strategies For Shift And Night Workers
   • 102 Easy Ways to Lower Post-Prandial Blood Sugar Without Meds
   • Comprehensive Guide for the Reversal of Insulin Resistance
3. Adopt Anti-Inflammatory Strategies:
   • Reduce systemic inflammation with a diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.
   • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A Great Player In Blood Sugar Control
   • Flaxseed: Lowers Sugar And Awesome Source of Valuable Omega 3
   • Knowing Omega-3 And 6 Imbalance: Health Effects And How To Fix
   • Avoid processed foods and refined sugars that promote inflammation.
4. Physical Therapy and Non-Surgical Treatments:
   • Address the mechanical aspects of the trigger finger with splints, stretching exercises, or corticosteroid injections.
5. Surgical Intervention if Necessary:
   • If conservative treatments fail, release surgery can improve finger movement and provide an opportunity to biopsy for conditions like amyloidosis.

Conclusion

Trigger finger is more than just a mechanical problem—it’s a potential window into your systemic health.

From fibrosis syndromes to cardiac amyloidosis and cardiovascular disease, this seemingly minor condition may signal underlying issues that warrant attention.

Acting early to reverse a trigger finger and addressing its root causes can significantly improve hand function and overall health.

Don’t Get Sick!

Stay current by subscribing. Feel free to share and like.

If you find value in this website, please consider buying a coffee or two or five to show your support.

References

1. Does hand stiffness reflect internal organ fibrosis in diabetes mellitus? Front. Clin. Diabetes Healthc., 2023.
2. Cardiac Amyloidosis Screening at Trigger Finger Release Surgery, The American Journal of Cardiology, 2021.
3. Trigger finger is associated with risk of incident cardiovascular disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cohort study, BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care, 2021.

Image credit: Dupuytren’s contracture By Frank C. Müller, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=647743

© 2018 – 2024 Asclepiades Medicine, LLC. All Rights Reserved
DrJesseSantiano.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.