Trigger finger/thumb can be caused by a number of situations, but the most common is a repeated or forceful use of your fingers and thumb.  The tendon at the base of the finger or thumb usually glides easily through the tissue that covers it (called a sheath) thanks to the synovium, a membrane that surrounds joints and keeps them lubricated. Sometimes, a tendon gets inflamed and swollen. Long-term irritation of the tendon sheath can lead to scarring and thickening that affect the tendon's motion. When this happens, bending your finger or thumb pulls the inflamed tendon through a narrowed sheath and makes it snap or pop (Nazario, 2020).

The treatment of trigger finger usually depends on the severity of the symptoms.  Rest, splinting, stretching and certain medications are generally advised by health professionals.  Surgery may also be required if it is severe - this will all be recommended by your health specialist.  It is also important to look at the way you complete your daily activities to understand what may have aggravated the condition, and how you can change the way you do tasks to ease the pain.

It is important to consider your working environment when looking at treating Trigger Finger. Once you have consulted with your GP and a Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist, and your symptoms are beginning to improve, you may want to try to re-introduce using a computer mouse and keyboard again. Remember to start slowly and gradually increase the amount of time you use your mouse and keyboard.

Ergonomic mice, are a great option for those recovering from Trigger Finger. They place your wrist and forearms in a more natural posture that helps to reduce the amount of muscle activity required to use your mouse. This in turn will help to reduce your symptoms and also the risk of aggravating your symptoms while you recover. 

We recommend the Ergofeel vertical ergonomic mouse, or the Ease vertical ergonomic mouse (depending on your hand size) as their shape keeps your fingers and thumb in a relaxed, straightened position and allow your fingers and thumb a chance to heal from the condition.  These particular mice will also place your hand and arm in a more natural posture which will help to reduce the tension in your forearm muscles and tendons. By switching to this mouse, you will feel the difference immediately. 

If your affected finger is your index finger or middle finger, you may want to consider our Thumb Wheel Mouse. This mouse allows your thumb to perform the scrolling function and will also allow you to position you non-affected fingers to be able to operate the left and right click buttons of the mouse.

Our final recommendation is our ErgoSlider Plus Mouse. This mouse allows you to use any part of your left or right hands to operate the computer mouse - moving the cursor, left and right click operation. Whilst a little more expensive to buy, the functionality and flexibility of this mouse is outstanding for anyone recovering from trigger finger.