Trigger Finger Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Trigger finger or stenosing tenosynovitis is a painful condition that creates a locking or catching feeling when you straighten or bend your finger. In severe cases, your finger may get stuck in a bent position.  

Flexor tendons, long fibrous cords, connect the forearm muscles to the bones that make up the fingers. These tendons normally glide through a sheath when your muscles contract, allowing your fingers to bend. When swollen tendons are inflamed, they can’t move easily through the sheath, creating irritation, pain, and a snapping sensation.

While the exact cause of trigger finger is unknown, the condition is more common among athletes who play sports involving repeated and forceful gripping with their fingers and thumbs. People with chronic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and diabetes are at greater risk. Suffering an acute trauma to the hand may also cause this condition.

Trigger finger is most common in these sports:

• Racket sports (tennis, racket ball, squash)
• Golf

Symptoms of trigger finger typically emerge after chronic, heavy use of the hands rather than a single injury. Symptoms may start with mild discomfort and get progressively worse. Common symptoms include:

• Pain and swelling at the base of the finger or the thumb
• Tenderness or a bump where the finger and palm meet
• A clicking, snapping, or catching finger when bending
• Finger stuck in a bent position (finger locking)

If you have symptoms of trigger finger that do not go away or get worse with time, make an appointment to see your doctor. He or she will ask questions about your medical history and physical activity. They’ll examine your hand for tenderness, swelling, bumps, or obvious signs of finger locking.

Trigger finger is commonly treated without surgery. Conservative treatments include:

• Rest: Avoid activities that involve heavy use of the hands and gripping movements, like racket sports.
• Splinting: A splint, especially when worn at night, may help rest the tendon by keeping it extended.
• Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication like ibuprofen can be helpful for relieving pain.
• Steroid Injections: Corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory medicine) injections help to decrease swollen tendon tissue and resolve the triggering sensation.
• Physical Therapy: Gentle exercises can help reduce stiffness and increase mobility in your finger.

Try these exercises to help address your condition:

Below is a PDF of the exercise program.

Trigger Finger

Your doctor may suggest surgery if your symptoms do not resolve with non-operative treatments. Surgery would involve cutting the tendon sheath at the base of your finger or thumb to allow the inflamed flexor tendons to glide. Pain and triggering relief can usually be expected after the operation, although the area may be sore for a few months.

Typically, patients can move their fingers right after surgery, though pain and swelling take several months to fully resolve. Hand therapy may be needed as part of the athlete’s recovery to maximize the affected finger’s range of motion.