Trigger Finger

What is Trigger Finger

If you’ve ever had a finger get stuck in a bent position or heard a snapping or popping sound when trying to bend or straighten it, you may be experiencing trigger finger. Also called stenosing tenosynovitis, trigger finger can affect any finger or the thumb. More than one digit can be affected at the same time, and symptoms may occur in one or both hands. Many people notice trigger finger symptoms more prominently in the morning, when gripping objects, or when trying to straighten the affected finger.

Trigger finger develops when the tendon sheath of the affected finger becomes irritated and inflamed, interfering with smooth tendon movement through the sheath.

What Causes Trigger Finger

Risk factors for trigger finger include:

• Jobs or activities involving repetitive hand use or gripping
• Gender (more common in females)
• Medical conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
• Prior carpal tunnel syndrome surgery 

Trigger Finger Symptoms

Common trigger finger symptoms may include:

• Finger stiffness
• A popping or clicking sensation during movement
• Pain when bending or straightening the finger
• A finger that becomes locked in a bent position
• Tenderness or a bump at the base of the finger or thumb

Trigger Finger Treatments

Trigger finger can be treated both nonsurgically and surgically. Solutions include:

• Simply resting the finger
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may relieve the pain
• Wearing a splint
• Stretching exercises or a gentle trigger finger workout designed to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness
• Surgery, if symptoms are severe or don’t respond to other treatments

If you think you may have trigger finger or need guidance on trigger finger treatment, contact the orthopedic hand and upper extremity specialists at Summa Health for a consultation.