At first, it feels like a funny moment for me. Whenever i get a firm grasp of my fist, my ring finger will get stuck and i will show them funnily to my little sis. Time by time, it worsen. I mean by worsen is the finger never came straight again except if i release it with my other hand. So I make my way to the physiotherapy.
1) Pesakit luar
When you deal with a government hospital, you have to see the doctor first before she can refer you to the physio session. There is a procedure, we cannot simply go and demand an 'i need a physio therapy'.
2) Physiotherapy appointment
My first therapy session was on 4th july on 2pm. I arrived a little bit late because that is my resignation date as a temporary kindergarten teacher and the process are more complicated than i thought. It is a blessing to find out that i am the only current patient so the physiotherapist can really take his time to explain and observe me.
3) Q & A with the physiotherapist
There is so many question occupies my head but I like it how my physiotherapist explained words by words, showing pictures and diagram like he really care bout his patient. There it goes:-
What is actually happening to me?
: Trigger finger
Why this happen?
: Overworked, so the tendon got irritated and produce scarring. The scar eventually becomes nodules that slow down the flexes of finger.
When does it start?
: Few months before, one of my hand got cramped most likely coz i overworked on the paddy field. We still do it manually by chopping down paddy using 'gogorib' or sabit in our mother tongue. So i think, that is the starting point which trigger the inflammation of my ring finger. It takes several months to develop a stuck on my finger which i barely realize.
How to get it better?
: He ask me to do a simple massage on the root of ring finger to get rid of the nodule bumps. 2 minutes of soft massage on the affected area by following the direction (below to upwards). Then using the other hand, pull and held my ring finger backwards in 20 sec of time. This simple massage can be done while watching tv but I often failed to do. (hmm..) If the finger didn't get better in 2 months, there will be two options which is injection or surgery.
a) Injection
The physiotherapist are straightforward on the long term effects of this option. He said that it only reduce the symptoms of trigger finger but overall it doesn't cure. Symptoms may be back few months or years later. He prefer me to go for a surgery.
b) Surgery
"Sakit lagi tu orang bersunat" dia bilang. Adoii. Seems easy kunun. But i think he said that so i won't be panic and doesn't stressed out. He seems really good at reading people's facial expression. Only one suture will be needed after surgery he said.
4) Ulrasound
He then does an ultrasound on my triggered finger by rubbing a gel on my palm and place the ultrasound rode over a circular motion. This is to help reduce the bump using the waves produced by the ultrasound. (begitu la lebi kurang. inda tau mo eksplain panzang2. yg siaa tau, ultrasound mo tinguk baby sija).
5) Next appointment session
Will be on 25th of july. Please help me pray for a speed recovery so I don't have to undergo surgery.
With love,
Lays Liau
