This disease is also known as stenosing ligamentitis and is a condition in which one of the fingers assumes a permanent bent position. When straightened, it makes a click, similar to a shot. Hence the more common name for the disease, trigger finger syndrome.
Knott's disease is diagnosed when, as a result of an inflammatory process, the space under the sheath surrounding the tendon narrows. In severe cases, the finger remains flexed.
If your job or hobby requires repeated repetition of monotonous hand-grabbing movements, you are at risk. Most often, this disease affects women and diabetics of both sexes.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Knott disease range from mild to severe. Among them:
- Stiffness and stiffness in the joint, especially in the morning.
- Clicking sound or clicking sensation when moving your finger.
- Softness or lump (knot) in the palm at the base of the affected finger.
- From time to time it becomes impossible to straighten the finger, but after a while it unbendsspontaneously, regardless of the number and intensity of attempts to straighten it.
Knott's disease most often affects the thumb, middle or ring finger. Sometimes the disease spreads to several fingers at once, or even to both hands. Unpleasant sensations become especially noticeable in the morning, when you try to straighten your finger or firmly squeeze any object.
When to see a doctor
If you notice limited movement or stiffness in the joints of your fingers, inform a specialist so that he can analyze the symptoms and perform a physical examination of your hand. If the joint is inflamed and feels hot to the touch, you may need urgent medical attention as these signs indicate an infection.
Reasons
Tendons are fibrous structures that connect muscles to bones. Each tendon is surrounded by a protective sheath. Stenosing ligamentitis is diagnosed when this sheath in the tendon of the finger becomes irritated and inflamed. Harmful processes disrupt the normal movement of the tendon under the sheath.
Prolonged irritation in the tendon sheath can lead to scarring, thickening of the structure and the formation of bumps (nodules), further interfering with the normal functioning of the tendon.
Risk factors
Circumstances that increase the risk of developing Knott's disease include:
- Repetitive grasping movements. Work and hobbies that require repeated repetition of the same finger movements,often lead to stenosing ligamentitis.
- Certain he alth problems. Patients with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis are at risk.
- Gender. Most often, Knott's disease is diagnosed in women.
Before visiting the doctor
To make an accurate diagnosis based on symptoms and a physical examination, you will need to contact a local or private therapist.
Before going to the clinic or medical center, it is advisable to make a list of regularly consumed nutritional supplements and medications. You can also write down in advance the main questions that you want to ask the doctor, for example:
- Is this ailment temporary?
- What caused the symptoms?
- How can Knott's disease be cured?
- Will there be complications due to the prescribed treatment?
The doctor will also ask you some clarifying questions. Be prepared to answer them in order to provide the specialist with all the most important information. The doctor is likely to be interested in the following details:
- What are your symptoms?
- How long have you noticed the signs of Knott's disease?
- Are symptoms intermittent or permanent?
- Does your condition improve or worsen due to any factors?
- Does your condition get worse in the morning or at certain times of the day?
- Do you do repetitive hand movements at work or during your leisure time?
- Have you injured your hand lately?
Diagnosis
Diagnosis in this case does not require complex studies. The doctor will determine the ailment based on the medical history and physical examination. During the examination, the specialist will ask you to clench and unclench your fist and analyze the areas with painful sensations, smooth movements and the nature of stiffness in the joints. The doctor will also feel your palm for lumps. If the detected bump was due to stenosing ligamentitis, it will move simultaneously with the movement of the finger due to belonging to the affected tendon.
Therapy
There are many methods of getting rid of stiffness in the joints and pain syndrome, characteristic of such an ailment as Knott's disease. Treatment with conservative non-invasive methods includes:
- Rest. For at least 3-4 weeks, you should refrain from activities that require the monotonous repetition of monotonous grasping movements.
- Stretching. Gentle stretching exercises help to cope with the disease, but only a doctor should prescribe such physical activity.
- Heat or cold. For a long time many people were tormented by Knott's disease; folk treatment of this ailment consists in applying pieces of ice to the palm of your hand. For some patients, however, warm heating pads are more helpful, especially if applied to the arm immediately after waking up in the morning.
Other methods
Most patients with stenosing ligamentitis doan injection of a steroid drug directly into the tendon sheath. Steroids help reduce inflammation and restore normal motor function of the fingers. This method of treatment has proven to be highly effective in 90% of cases and is used everywhere. Sometimes a second injection is required to consolidate the result.
If the patient has diabetes, steroids may be powerless in the treatment of such an ailment as Knott's disease. The operation in this case is considered the best option: through a small incision at the base of the diseased finger, the surgeon straightens the compressed area in the protective sheath of the tendon. The operation does not take long and is the most effective treatment for trigger finger syndrome.
