Can Arthritis Start Suddenly..

[thelewisgang]

I have recently had two fingers locked down with trigger finger. this happened suddenly & had these two fingers on my left hand in the locked position for 5 weeks. I was seen at A&E when this first happened after being instructed to go there by my GP. Steroid injections were tried but the fingers locked down again the following day. Back to Orthopaedics & told an operation would be needed, went for pre-assessment tests & signed the consent form but then the Primary Care Trust wouldn't agree to fund the operation saying it could be done cheaper through a medical centre. I experienced a lot of pain & swelling of these fingers whilst waiting for the operation to be arranged. I then had the surgery with local anaesthetic & the surgeon said there was a lot of fluid in the fingers. He also said I had arthritis in those fingers. I have never had joint problems in the past. I had my stitches removed last week but the swelling is still troublesome & because of this I cannot bend my fingers into a fist. I now wonder if the arthritis could have been accelerated with my fingers being locked down for so long. I just hope in time, with exercise, I will get better movement but thought I would post for any views. thanks.

[Sqad]

Firstly....I would never have a trigger finger operated on in a " medical centre" I would ask for hospital care and operated on by an Orthopaedic surgeon or a hand surgeon.

Secondly there is no association with arthritis and trigger finger, although one may well develop triggerfinger with fairly advanced rheumatoid arthritis.

In direct answer to your question, in my opinion the " locking" of your fingers would not accelerate the two common types of arthritis...osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

[thelewisgang]

thanks Sqad. I had no choice to have the op done in hospital. Primary Care Trust would not fund it & other than pay privately, I had no alternative but to have it done at the medical centre. When I went to my GP last week to have the four stitches removed, I ended up at A&E because one stitch had been tied so tight & the knot of this had disappeared into my hand & all the efforts of my practice nurse/GP couldn't move it. Had to have injection of anaesthetic in my hand to get it out! I suppose it could be many weeks before it recovers fully & the swelling goes. Thanks again for your reply.

[Sqad]

Thanks for the feedback.