Trigger thumb: What helps?

@sequoia: I read about the oval 8 rigid plastic brace/device, and actually ordered one from amazon ($ 26.00), but unfortunately the size was way too small. I wish a local pharmacy/drugstore would carry this, so I could try on for size. I may give it another shot, if the actual recent shot does not help. Thanks!

Trigger thumb needs surgery usually. I’ve had trigger fingers and it’s not fun I understand that. The tendons and ligaments get caught and it will not resolve itself as far as I know. The surgery is not a big deal. I had two trigger fingers on my left hand it was the ring finger in the middle finger. They would get caught and I have to literally pull them up. My son was born with a trigger thumb and when he was 18 months old he had to have the surgery. Again, it’s not a big deal it be better for you to have the surgery and to put up with that. Best of luck with that. My hand is so much better now.

Labor Day weekend of this year I developed a trigger thumb on my right hand. I tried to ease or reverse it with - in order - rest, ice, Aleve, Voltaren gel, assorted specific exercises, laying off Letrozole for a few weeks (oncologist’s suggestion), ingnoring it, and overworking it again. Pain level varied, from moderate to severe, sometimes going all the way to the lowest thumb joint. I finally got a cortisone injection in base of thumb 2 weeks ago, and it has helped a little, so far. I was told to see how it feels after 4 weeks, then discuss potential surgery.
I know many people have done this relatively minor surgery, and I’m quite ready to do this, IF: this is a one-time thing, and if the root cause of the trigger thumb makes no difference in the outcome.
I had absolutely overworked my thumb with hours of intense yard work (weed pulling) 2 consecutive days prior to start of symptoms, and on the other hand had been on Letrozole for 18 months but without any side effects, so it’s a toss-up which is the cause.
Any thoughts on this?

SusanEllen66 Please tell me that you tried PT first?

I was fitted for my first finger splint by a physical therapist. To get the best size, you might ask your orthopedic doctor to recommend a PT center with a hand specialist on its staff, then call to ask if they can fit a plastic finger splint. Still you may fall between sizes, in which case you may have to apply hand lotion to help slip the splint on at night, then soap suds to get it off in the morning. A splint may not cure you; at best it might put off surgery.

I have this on right ring finger and left middle finger. I had a couple injections but they told me it it doesn't help I should get surgery. I am very active and use my hands for cycling,skiing,kayaking and more. It even bothers me when cutting vegetables in the kitchen!
Not much pain, fortuneatly. I figured it was overuse and age.

I use scissors to cut up many items. For any finger that has a click when moving, I do the RICE--rest, ice, compression/splint and stretches. It is basically a tendon/tendon sheath issue . I like finger exercises like Dr Jo Thumb Range of Motion and Trigger Finger.