What is Trigger Finger

Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) is a condition that causes a finger to get stuck in a bent position. Each finger has a tough, cord-like tissue that connects muscle to bone (tendon), and each tendon is surrounded by a tunnel of tissue (tendon sheath). To move your finger, your tendon needs to slide freely through the sheath. Trigger finger happens when the tendon or the sheath thickens, making it difficult to move your finger.

Trigger finger can affect any finger or a thumb. It may affect more than one finger. Mild cases may clear up with rest and medicine. Severe cases require more treatment.

What are the causes?

Trigger finger is caused by a thickened finger tendon or tendon sheath. The cause of this thickening is not known.

What increases the risk?

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

• Doing activities that require a strong grip.
• Having rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or diabetes.
• Being 40–60 years old.
• Being a woman.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Pain when bending or straightening your finger.
• Tenderness or swelling where your finger attaches to the palm of your hand.
• A lump in the palm of your hand or on the inside of your finger.
• Hearing a popping sound when you try to straighten your finger.
• Feeling a popping, catching, or locking sensation when you try to straighten your finger.
• Being unable to straighten your finger.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on your symptoms and a physical exam.

How is this treated?

This condition may be treated by:

• Resting your finger and avoiding activities that make symptoms worse.
• Wearing a finger splint to keep your finger in a slightly bent position.
• Taking NSAIDs to relieve pain and swelling.
• Injecting medicine (steroids) into the tendon sheath to reduce swelling and irritation. Injections may need to be repeated.
• Having surgery to open the tendon sheath. This may be done if other treatments do not work and you cannot straighten your finger. You may need physical therapy after surgery.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Use moist heat to help reduce pain and swelling as told by your health care provider.
• Rest your finger and avoid activities that make pain worse. Return to normal activities as told by your health care provider.
• If you have a splint, wear it as told by your health care provider.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms are not improving with home care.

Summary

• Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) causes your finger to get stuck in a bent position, and it can make it difficult and painful to straighten your finger.
• This condition develops when a finger tendon or tendon sheath thickens.
• Treatment starts with resting, wearing a splint, and taking NSAIDs.
• In severe cases, surgery to open the tendon sheath may be needed.