Does your finger (or thumb) pop, click, or freeze when you bend it? You may have trigger finger. What exactly is trigger finger? And how do you treat it? Orlin & Cohen licensed occupational therapists Briana Ordolino, MOT, OTR/L, CHT and Hamlet Aristy, BS/MS, OTR/L explain.
Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is caused by repetitive finger motion that results in inflammation of one of the finger’s tendons, which travel through a series of pulley systems to help you move that joint. When one of those tendons becomes inflamed, it’s difficult for it to smoothly glide through that pulley system.
This inflammation can cause a painful nodule on the tendon. This nodule becomes stuck once it passes through the pulley system and the finger may “click” as it flexes and extends. In some cases, the finger may bend or straighten with a snap, like a trigger being pulled and released—hence, the name “trigger finger.”
In severe cases, the finger may get stuck in the flexed position until it is forced open with the other hand.
What are the signs of trigger finger?
You may have trigger finger if you experience:
Finger stiffness, particularly in the morning
A popping or clicking sensation as you move your finger
Tenderness or a nodule in the palm at the base of the affected finger
Finger locking in a bent position
What causes trigger finger?
While there is often no direct cause or reason why people develop trigger finger, we typically see the condition in individuals – mostly women who are between 40 and 60 years old with:
Jobs or recreational activities that require repetitive motion, especially a gripping motion
A medical history of diabetes, gout, or arthritis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
How is trigger finger treated?
Trigger finger usually can be treated conservatively by modifying your activities, splinting, steroid injections, and hand therapy. These techniques can help reduce symptoms and successfully eliminate trigger finger altogether.
Occasionally, if your symptoms are severe or conservative treatment isn’t successful, your physician may recommend trigger finger release surgery. This surgery, which has a relatively quick recovery time, is often followed by hand therapy to reduce scar tissue and swelling, and to improve your range of motion.
