Trigger Finger A1 Pulley Release in Kansas City
Trigger Finger Release
Your Solution to
Hand & Wrist Discomfort.
Understanding the Basics Behind Hand & Wrist Pain
What is Trigger Finger Release?
Though acute injuries can happen at any moment, some of the most common hand and wrist conditions happen due to repetitive motions or other preexisting conditions. This is the case with trigger finger (also known as stenosing tenosynovitis), a condition in which your finger can become locked in a bent position.
Not only is a trigger finger injury potentially painful, it can greatly inhibit your ability to perform basic tasks. Though the extent of a trigger finger condition can vary in severity, there are solutions to help you get back to pain-free living. At Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance, we can perform an A1 pulley release in Kansas City to help treat the issue. The A1 pulley is located near the head of the metacarpal bones in your fingers.
Regardless of wrist issues you’re dealing with—whether it’s a sprain, strain, fracture, ligament tear—help is available. The highly skilled providers at Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance can help you find the necessary treatments to get you back to pain-free living.
Your First Appointment for Hand & Wrist Injuries
Choosing an A1 pulley release in Kansas City is a decision that typically involves guidance from your primary care doctor and orthopedic physician. When you choose Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance, one of our highly-trained orthopedic hand and wrist specialists will conduct an initial evaluation to better understand your condition. After a complete review of your results, your provider will discuss whether A1 pulley release is the best treatment option for you.
Common signs you may need an A1 Pulley Release include:
- Locking
- A clicking or popping sensation in the finger
- Pain/Tenderness
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Sensitivity to pressure
- And more
Both acute and chronic injuries can be corrected by the experts at Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance. When you visit us, we’ll take the time to determine the cause of your pain and determine whether a treatment like A1 pulley release is best for you.
When a patient visits one of our KCOA offices, a skilled orthopedic specialist will ask you questions regarding your symptoms, what aggravates/alleviates your symptoms, and whether you have attempted prior therapies. Next comes a thorough physical exam. We will then review any images you bring with you and/or take new images. After determining the cause of your pain, we can discuss if A1 pulley release will work best for your needs.
Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance hand & Wrist Assessment
Assessing the Injury
Determining the proper treatment process for hand and wrist injuries starts with an assessment from one of our experienced providers. You can think of hand and wrist pain as a spectrum, with some instances being more severe than others.
The KCOA orthopedic specialists always focus on each patient and their concerns before creating a treatment plan.
Therefore, during your initial appointment, we will often ask questions such as:
From there, we can decide what treatment option will align best with your needs and lifestyle goals.
- Does your pain currently limit you or your activities?
- Has your pain progressed or worsened recently?
- Did you notice or hear a popping sound at the time of your injury?
- Does your finger catch or lock in a bent position?
- Have you noticed any change in your symptoms that has made it more challenging to function?
- What are your lifestyle goals?
- How has pain affected those goals?
Examination
Once we’ve completed a proper assessment, your provider will often begin with a physical examination to help determine the origin point of your pain. In some cases, advanced testing may be required for a full diagnosis. This may include:
X-Ray
Also called radiographs, an X-ray captures a picture of the wrist. Orthopedic physicians may order an X-ray to rule out the possibility of a fracture (broken bone), osteoarthritis, or other bone-related conditions.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI captures images of muscles, bones, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons to help provide information other tests can’t detail. During an MRI, you will lie on a table that slides into a tube-shaped scanner. The machine creates a magnetic field around you, using pulsed radio waves to form the MRI images.
Symptoms
Common Signs and Symptoms of Trigger Finger
With so many different parts of your hand and wrist all working in unison, there are numerous chances for acute injuries or chronic pain to develop. Each of these causes comes with its own distinct set of symptoms.
Trigger finger most often occurs due to repeated or forceful motions of your finger or thumb. Inflammation of the tendons may also cause this specific condition. With healthy fingers and thumbs, the tissue sheath covers the tendon and protects it while providing lubrication. When the tendon sheath becomes irritated, scarring in the area can affect motion and cause the finger or thumb to lock in place.
There are a number of different risk factors that can cause a Trigger Finger condition. Pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, or gout can cause complications, as can certain occupations that require repetitive finger motions. Additionally, patients over 40 tend to be at higher risk. If you do develop Trigger Finger, an A1 pulley release in Kansas City can help you get relief from your symptoms.
Causes
Causes of Hand & Wrist Pain
The body has a number of different joints that all work in unison in order to function normally. However, all of these different working parts means that your hand and wrist can face a variety of potential injuries. How severe your hand and wrist pain is will vary depending on a few different key factors, including both the location and the source of the problem.
As with many of the other joints in your body, both the hand and wrist are susceptible to acute injuries, it can be susceptible to injuries that occur acutely or more chronic conditions that build up over the years because of repetitive motions or poor form. The soft tissue of your hand and wrist, consisting of muscles, tendons, nerves, and ligaments, help to protect these joints and bones.
Whether you’re suffering from an acute or chronic injury, the hand and wrist specialists at Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance are here to assist. We’ll help you find the root cause of your pain and determine whether a trigger finger A1 pulley release is right for you or if you require a different treatment.
Treatment Alternatives
In most cases, surgery is not the first option for treatment at Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance. If we can treat your knee issues with more conservative treatments, we’ll choose those options. We typically exhaust all non-surgical options prior to recommending surgery. Non-surgical treatments for the hand & wrist and include:
Occupational/Physical Therapy
A trained therapist will focus on the issue that’s causing the pain or symptoms as well as the deficits that are present as a result of the injury. Stretches, strengthening exercises, manual soft tissue work, and modalities like hot and cold therapy may help you recover.
Medications
Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Advil) or prescription medications. Especially with NSAIDs, you should always talk to your doctor to ensure they are the right treatment for you.
Injections
Therapeutic injections can help reduce inflammation, and the effects tend to last for 3 to 6 months. During that time, we often encourage patients to work with a therapist to improve strength and flexibility, while their symptoms are being aided by the medication. Many people manage their pain with injections and physical therapy.
Regenerative Medicines
Regenerative medicines like stem cell injections or platelet-rich plasma can help nourish worn or damaged tissue. This option works best if you have mild-to-moderate wrist pain.
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance is here to help.
Our care is personal. Our team is knowledgeable. And we’re more available than ever.
With access to board-certified specialists across Kansas City, we have the tools to meet almost every musculoskeletal condition.
Our Locations
Overland Park, Kansas
10777 Nall Ave Suite 300 Overland Park, KS 66211Leawood, Kansas
3651 College Blvd. Leawood, KS 66211Kansas City, Missouri
Saint Luke's Medical Plaza #1 4320 Wornall Rd., Ste. 610 Kansas City, MO 64111Belton, Missouri
Belton Regional Campus 17067 S Outer Rd #301 Belton, MO 64012Blue Springs, Missouri
St. Mary’s Medical Center, Main Entrance 203 NW R.D. Mize Road, Suite 250 Blue Springs, MO 64014Shawnee Mission, Kansas
7450 Kessler St ste. 140 Merriam, KS 66204Prairie Star (Lenexa, Kansas)
Prairie Star 23401 Prairie Star PkwyBldg. B, Ste. 220 Lenexa, KS 66227