Trigger finger

The first sign of a trigger finger is that the finger is difficult to bend and may feel stiff. Swelling may appear in the palm. Later, as the symptoms worsen, the finger may “get stuck” in a bent position, and you may only be able to straighten it again with the help of your other hand. You may hear a clicking or snapping sound when moving the finger.

The tendon responsible for bending the finger runs through several thickened tendon sheath rings, which resemble a system of tunnels. If the tendon thickens due to inflammation, it cannot pass freely through the tunnel. A knot may form on the tendon, further hindering its smooth glide, which leads to stiffness and pain. This condition is similar to trying to thread a needle with a piece of thread that has a knot in it.

There is no clearly identifiable cause of the condition. Heavy use of the fingers can worsen the symptoms of trigger finger, but it has not been proven that the inflammation is related to this. It most commonly occurs in middle-aged women. Diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis may be risk factors.

In very mild cases, resting the fingers may relieve the symptoms. Wearing a resting splint for 7–10 days can reduce the symptoms. If symptoms are more severe and the finger frequently “locks,” anti-inflammatory treatment is recommended. These include topical physical therapy treatments and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). When these so-called conservative treatments are ineffective, surgical treatment is recommended.