Nonsurgical treatments often heal trigger finger, but recovery takes time. Your provider may recommend a trigger finger splint or a corticosteroid injection.
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What is trigger finger?
Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) is a condition that causes swelling in the tendons in your fingers or thumb. When the tendons become irritated and swollen, it can be difficult to bend or straighten the finger smoothly. In more severe cases, the finger may get stuck in a bent position before suddenly straightening with a snap — like pulling and releasing a trigger.
Although it most often affects the ring finger and thumb, trigger finger can occur in any finger. When only the thumb is involved, the condition is called trigger thumb.
At Mass General Brigham Orthopedics, you’ll have access to a dedicated team of hand and arm orthopedic specialists who are committed to helping you manage trigger finger. You’ll benefit from a collaborative approach that brings together fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons, experienced rheumatologists, and skilled rehabilitation specialists. Together, they tailor a treatment plan to help you stay active and control your symptoms.
Call 857-282-3300 to schedule a consultation, or find an orthopedic specialist.
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Symptoms of trigger finger
Trigger finger symptoms usually develop gradually. Symptoms are often worse in the morning or after resting your hands. Trigger finger symptoms often get better as you use your hands throughout the day.
You may notice:
- Tender bump at the base of your finger or thumb on the palm side of your hand
- A catching, locking, or popping sensation when moving the finger or thumb
- Pain when bending or straightening the finger or thumb
What are the stages of trigger finger?
Trigger finger symptoms can progress over time. The stages often include:
- Mild pain: soreness or tenderness at the base of the affected finger or thumb
- Intermittent locking: occasional catching or sticking when moving the finger
- Frequent locking: regular difficulty straightening or bending the finger smoothly
- Fixed contracture: the finger becomes stuck in a bent position and cannot be straightened
Conditions similar to trigger finger
Trigger finger shares some symptoms with other hand conditions, but the causes are different:
- Dupuytren’s contracture: In this condition, tissue in the palm thickens and tightens, gradually pulling one or more fingers into a bent position. Unlike trigger finger, the finger cannot straighten because a cord of scar-like tissue prevent motion, not because of a swollen tendon.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: This condition happens when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed. It can cause numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the hand and fingers. Unlike trigger finger, it does not cause locking or catching of the finger.
What causes trigger finger?
The flexor tendons attach your forearm muscles to the bones in your fingers and thumb. They allow you to bend your fingers and thumb when you make a fist or grip an object.
To help these tendons move smoothly, bands of tissue called form small tunnels along each finger. The pulleys hold the flexor tendons close to the bones as your fingers and thumb bend and straighten. Each finger has several pulleys, and together the pulleys form a sheath which holds the tendons in place.
Trigger finger happens when one of these tendons becomes swollen and irritated. The swelling makes it harder for the tendon to slide easily in the tendon sheath. Over time, a small bump (nodule) may form on the inflamed tendon, making it catch or lock instead of gliding smoothly.
Risk factors for trigger finger
You’re more likely to develop trigger finger as you get older. Women are also more likely to develop trigger finger compared to men. Certain medical conditions can also make it more likely, including:
- Diabetes
- Cardiac amyloidosis
- Gout
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Thyroid disease
Diagnosis of trigger finger
Healthcare providers diagnose trigger finger with a physical exam and a review of your symptoms.
During the exam, your provider will check for signs of:
- A clicking or catching sensation when you bend and straighten the finger or thumb
- Tenderness in the palm of your hand
Treatment for trigger finger
Trigger finger often improves with nonsurgical treatments. Your healthcare provider may recommend:
- Wearing a trigger finger splint at night to keep the affected digits straight
- Getting corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and swelling. In many patients, a single corticosteroid injection will resolve the symptoms.
Trigger finger surgery
Your provider may recommend hand surgery if your symptoms do not improve or get worse with nonsurgical treatments. Trigger finger surgery releases the pulley at the base of the affected finger or thumb, allowing the flexor tendon to glide smoothly. The other pulleys in your hand continue to support normal bending and straightening.
Our expert hand specialists can diagnose your condition and guide you to the right treatment, from splinting to minimally invasive surgery. Schedule a consultation by calling 857-282-3300.
FAQs about trigger finger
Strenuous, repetitive gripping movements are the top cause of trigger finger. Jobs and hobbies that require frequent forceful hand use — such as gardening, playing an instrument, or using tools — put you at higher risk.
No. Holding a ball tightly and squeezing it may further inflame tendons in your fingers, worsening symptoms.
Mild cases of trigger finger may improve on their own, but untreated trigger finger can get worse over time. The finger may lock more often, become painful, and eventually stay stuck in a bent position. Early treatment can help restore movement and prevent lasting stiffness.
