THE VETERANS' PRESS: Attention veterans: Do you have ‘Trigger Finger?’

Did you know that the VA hospital in Spokane has an Orthopedic Hand Specialist?

For those of you that have painful trigger fingers, you know it hurts like the dickens. Trigger finger is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and a sensation of locking or catching when you bend and straighten your finger. It usually happens in the ring fingers or thumbs but can occur in your other fingers as well.

My primary doctor at the VA referred me to the hand doctor at the Spokane VA hospital. I thought surgery was the only answer. Guess what I was wrong and found out the doctor has another solution to try first. He gave me a cortisone shot and told me that my finger will typically be better within about two weeks or so. It worked like a charm.

I wasn’t so lucky with my other hand in that the shot didn’t work as planned. I went back in and discussed having surgery or giving another shot a try, which I did about a week ago. My finger is improving but if it doesn’t get better then he can do surgery.

If you are having problems with your hands, ask your primary doctor/provider at the VA to refer you to the hand doctor.