Overview
What is trigger finger?
Trigger finger is a condition that makes your fingers or thumb difficult to move. It can “freeze” them in a flexed position. It affects the tendons in your fingers and thumbs. Trigger finger gets its name from the position your fingers can get stuck in — it looks like you’re trying to pull an invisible trigger.
If you have trigger finger, your affected fingers or thumb can be stuck flexed in toward your palm. It can be hard — or impossible — to straighten your affected digits (the medical term for your fingers and thumb). Trigger finger can affect any of your digits, but people most commonly develop it in their ring fingers (your third finger).
Symptoms and Causes
What are trigger finger symptoms?
The most common symptoms of trigger finger include:
- A snapping or popping feeling when you move your fingers or thumb. It might feel like your affected digits are “catching” or getting stuck as they move.
- Pain and stiffness when flexing your fingers or thumb in toward your palm.
- Soreness in your palm near the base of your fingers or thumb. This pain is usually worse when you’re gripping or grasping something.
- Swelling or a tender lump in the palm of your hand.
- Your fingers or thumb locking (sticking) in a flexed position. You might need to use your other hand to gently push your fingers to straighten out.
Trigger finger symptoms (especially stiffness and locked positions) are usually worse first thing in the morning. Stiffness usually gets a little better as you start using your fingers and thumb.
What causes trigger finger?
Swelling in or around the tendons in your fingers or thumb causes trigger finger or trigger thumb.
Tendons are bands of tissue that attach muscles to bones. Tendons and muscles in your hands work together to flex and straighten your fingers and thumb. A tunnel of tissue called a sheath surrounds these tendons. The sheath protects them and keeps the tendons in place.
Trigger finger happens when the tendons in your affected fingers or thumb become irritated and swollen (inflamed) and can’t easily slide through their sheaths. A bump (nodule) may also form on your affected tendon, which makes it even more difficult for the tendon to easily glide through its sheath.
The nodule often catches or gets stuck on a part of your tendon called the A1 pulley. If it’s harder than usual for your tendon to slide through the A1 pulley, your finger will feel stiff or like it’s getting stuck.
Trigger finger risk factors
Anyone can develop trigger finger, but it’s more common in people between the ages of 40 and 60.
Having a job or hobby that requires you to perform strenuous repetitive motions, grasping, gripping or applying a lot of force with your fingers and thumbs can make you more likely to develop trigger finger. Examples include:
- Farming or gardening.
- Industrial work or working with tools.
- Playing an instrument.
- Playing racket sports (like tennis, racquetball or pickleball).
People with certain health conditions are more likely to develop trigger finger, including:
- Osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Gout.
- Diabetes.
- Amyloidosis.
- Thyroid disease.
Diagnosis and Tests
How is trigger finger diagnosed?
A healthcare provider will diagnose trigger finger with a physical exam. They’ll examine your hand and fingers and ask about your symptoms. Tell your provider when you first noticed pain and stiffness, and if certain activities make your symptoms worse.
Your provider might straighten your fingers or thumb to feel for clicking and to gauge how stiff your tendons are. Tell them if any motion or position hurts.
What tests do providers use to diagnose trigger finger?
Usually, providers don’t need any special tests to diagnose trigger finger. They might use imaging tests like an ultrasound or X-rays to take pictures of the tissue and bones in your hand.
Management and Treatment
How is trigger finger treated?
How a healthcare provider treats trigger finger depends on which of your fingers are affected and the severity of your symptoms. The most common trigger finger treatments include:
- Rest: Taking a break from work, hobbies or tasks that caused trigger finger will give your tendons time to heal.
- Splinting: You might need to wear a splint to hold your affected digits in place and help them stretch back to their usual position.
- Stretching exercises: Your provider might give you stretching exercises to help your tendons regain their flexibility.
- Anti-inflammatory medication: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as naproxen or ibuprofen — relieve pain and reduce swelling. A healthcare provider might also prescribe corticosteroids (prescription anti-inflammatory medications). You might need cortisone shots.
Trigger finger surgery
You might need surgery if other treatments don’t improve your symptoms. A surgeon will perform a trigger finger release procedure.
They’ll give you a local anesthetic to numb the area around your affected fingers. They’ll make a tiny cut (incision) in the sheath around your affected tendons. This will give your tendons more space to move through their sheath. Trigger finger releases are outpatient procedures, which means you can go home the same day.
How soon after treatment will I feel better?
Your trigger finger symptoms should gradually improve as soon as you start nonsurgical treatments. Your provider will tell you how long you’ll need each treatment and when you can expect your finger to return to its usual flexibility and range of motion (how far you can move it).
You’ll need a few weeks to recover after a trigger finger release surgery before you can start using your fingers or thumb again. It may take a few months to get back to your usual activities after surgery. Your surgeon will tell you what to expect.
Prevention
Can I prevent trigger finger?
The best way to prevent trigger finger is to avoid overusing your hands, fingers and thumbs. To prevent trigger finger:
- Learn the proper posture or technique for sports or work activities.
- Ease into new exercises or activities to avoid injury.
- Take breaks if you’re doing a repetitive task that puts a lot of stress on your hands.
Outlook / Prognosis
How long does trigger finger usually last?
How long you experience symptoms depends on which digits have trigger finger and how severe the symptoms are. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months of nonsurgical treatments to get your fingers or thumb back to their usual function. Ask your provider what to expect and how long you’ll need treatment.
Can trigger finger heal on its own?
Trigger finger won’t heal on its own. Get your fingers or thumb examined by a healthcare provider if you notice any symptoms of trigger finger. Even if you only need rest or other nonsurgical treatments, a provider needs to examine your digits and diagnose trigger finger or any other health conditions that are causing your symptoms.
Living With
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Visit a healthcare provider if you notice any symptoms of trigger finger, especially if you can’t move a finger or thumb as far as usual. Go to the emergency room if you suddenly can’t move or use one of your digits.
What questions should I ask my provider?
- Do I have trigger finger or another issue?
- What caused the trigger finger?
- Which treatments will I need?
- Will I need surgery?
- How long will I need treatment?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is trigger finger a form of arthritis?
Trigger finger and arthritis can both cause pain and stiffness in your fingers and hands, but trigger finger isn’t a type of arthritis.
Trigger finger happens when a tendon or tendon sheath in your fingers or thumb is swollen and can’t move as smoothly as it should.
Arthritis of the hand affects the tissues in your joints. Eventually, arthritis breaks down tissue in your joints enough to make bones rub against each other. There are 27 joints in your hands and fingers, and arthritis can affect any of them.
What is the difference between trigger finger and trigger thumb?
Trigger finger and trigger thumb are the same condition. Healthcare providers use the two names interchangeably depending on which of your digits are affected. Providers sometimes also call trigger finger stenosing tenosynovitis.
These are all the same conditions that a provider will diagnose and treat the same way.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Trigger finger happens when irritation causes a tendon or tendon sheath in your fingers or thumb to swell or thicken. This inflammation can make it hard or impossible to move your affected digit. The good news is that trigger finger is treatable. Even if you need surgery, you should be able to return to all of your usual activities and hobbies after your hand has healed.
Visit a healthcare provider if you notice pain, stiffness or a decreased range of motion in your fingers or thumb. They’ll diagnose the cause and help you find treatments that will relieve your symptoms and restore your finger or thumb’s flexibility.
FAQs
What is trigger finger and how is it treated? ›
Trigger finger happens when the tendon that controls that finger can't glide smoothly in the sheath that surrounds it. This may occur if part of the tendon sheath becomes swollen or if a small lump forms. This lump is called a nodule. Tendons are tough cords that attach muscle to bone.
What is the best way to fix trigger finger? ›- Rest. Avoid activities that require repetitive gripping, repeated grasping or the prolonged use of vibrating hand-held machinery until your symptoms improve. ...
- A splint. Wearing a splint can help rest the tendon.
- Stretching exercises. Gentle exercises can help maintain mobility in your finger.
The main cause of trigger finger is swelling and inflammation around the tendon. Without treatment, the finger may become locked in the bent position. People who have hobbies or jobs that require repetitive gripping or squeezing are more likely to develop trigger finger, as are people with diabetes.
What is the first treatment for trigger finger? ›In cases of trigger finger, liquid corticosteroids are injected into the base of the affected finger or thumb. Corticosteroids are thought to work by reducing swelling, allowing the tendon to move freely again. This can sometimes happen within a few days of having the injection, but it usually takes a few weeks.
Can you get rid of trigger finger without surgery? ›Trigger finger treatment can range from rest to surgery, depending on the severity of your condition. Resting your hands if possible, wearing a splint at night, stretching exercises and a steroid injection all can alleviate trigger finger without surgery.
Is trigger finger a form of arthritis? ›Is trigger finger a form of arthritis? Trigger finger and arthritis can both cause pain and stiffness in your fingers and hands, but trigger finger isn't a type of arthritis. Trigger finger happens when a tendon or tendon sheath in your fingers or thumb is swollen and can't move as smoothly as it should.
Does squeezing a ball help trigger finger? ›Does squeezing a ball help trigger finger? Since trigger finger is caused by inflammation of the finger tendon, ball squeeze exercise works well in relaxing its symptoms such as stiffness, popping and snapping sensation.
What causes trigger finger to get worse? ›Trigger finger gets worse with overuse. So persons should recognize any triggers and avoid activities causing the pain. Over-the-counter medicines like NSAIDs can help at this point. Proper pain management can restore range of motion in many cases.
How long does it take for trigger finger to go away? ›It will probably take about 6 weeks for your finger to heal completely. After it heals, your finger may move easily without pain.
Does trigger finger mean you have diabetes? ›Trigger finger is the result of inflammation in the tendons that enable you to flex and bend your fingers and your thumb. It not only limits your ability to move, straighten, and use your fingers for even the simplest of daily tasks, but it can also be painful. “It's very common in people with and without diabetes.
What age is trigger finger most common? ›
Although it's rarely noticed at birth, trigger finger and thumb can be present in infancy. The condition is also often found in older children between the ages of 1 and 4.
Is trigger finger something to be concerned about? ›Trigger finger treatment is necessary to fix the condition. If trigger finger is not treated, the pain, swelling, and stiffness will get progressively worse. In severe cases, you'll no longer be able to straighten the affected finger. The two treatment options for trigger finger are cortisone injections and surgery.
When should I go to the doctor for a trigger finger? ›Signs and symptoms of trigger finger include soreness, swelling, locking, and stiffness in the hand. The feeling that your finger is hot is a sign of infection, in which case you should see an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible. Pain and numbness of the finger joint also warrant immediate medical attention.
What is the success rate of cortisone injections for trigger finger? ›Steroid injections have been found to be effective in the treatment of trigger digit. Its efficacy varies from between 67 and 90%.
Is trigger finger progressive? ›Trigger finger is a progressive hand condition. Over time, trigger finger can worsen without proper treatment. The fingers could remain locked in a bent position or in a straight position (less common).
Is heating pad good for trigger finger? ›An occupational therapist or hand therapist can guide you through the process of decreasing your trigger finger symptoms and improving how your hand works. Heating treatments, such as a moist heating pad or paraffin wax can be applied to your hand to alleviate stiffness and prepare your hand for therapy.
What is the best anti inflammatory for trigger finger? ›Topical NSAIDs such as ketoprofen and oral NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are commonly given to relieve the pain from trigger finger.
Is carpal tunnel the same as trigger finger? ›While both conditions affect your hands, carpal tunnel also affects the wrist, forearm, and selected fingers. This extends your pain, numbness, and weakness. Trigger finger targets a sole finger or thumb, locking the joint uncomfortably into place and making even simple movements difficult.
Is trigger finger related to stress? ›The cause of trigger finger is not always known but it often results from excessive use and stress on the tendons. Vibration also seems to be a factor, as well as diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and gout. You will probably experience some pain and swelling at the base of your finger or thumb.
Is trigger finger a form of tendonitis? ›Trigger finger is actually a swelling – or tendonitis – of the flexor tendon that controls the flexing movement of a finger or thumb. It can include inflammation of the tubular sheath that the tendon slides through when the hand is opened and closed.
Does trigger finger mean you have rheumatoid arthritis? ›
Trigger finger
Your finger may bend or straighten with a snap — like a trigger being pulled and released, according to the Mayo Clinic. In severe cases, your finger may become locked in a bent position. Rheumatoid arthritis is a risk factor for trigger finger.
By using a night splint to keep the finger straight, it can prevent painful locking during sleep. However, keeping the finger straight all night could result in the need to spend some time and effort getting it to move smoothly the next morning.
Is heat or ice better for trigger finger? ›Cold therapy reduces inflammation and heat relaxes the muscles. Heat therapy should only be implemented 48 hours after the initial onset of the condition. Using heat sooner can increase inflammation, which causes additional damage. As such, cold therapy should be used for the first 48 hours.
Should you rest or exercise a trigger finger? ›Trigger finger usually gets better with rest, splinting, and OTC medications. Gentle stretching exercises can help ease stiffness and increase the range of movement in the affected hand. Anyone who experiences severe or persistent pain from trigger finger should speak to a doctor.
Is it OK to ignore trigger finger? ›Many people may think that trigger finger is just an annoying disease that is not severe nor needs immediate treatment. But, did you know that the longer you leave “trigger finger” untreated or wrongly treated, the more severe the trigger finger's symptoms will get.
How do I know if my trigger finger is severe? ›In a severe case of trigger finger, the digit locks and becomes stuck in a bent position. Sometimes the patient must use their other hand to straighten the finger or thumb manually. In the worst cases, the digit can't be straightened at all without intervention by a healthcare provider.
Does trigger finger surgery hurt? ›Surgery may initially cause some pain or soreness. Doctors may recommend over-the-counter painkillers for relief. Immediately after surgery, a person should be able to move their finger or thumb. Be gentle with movements at first; full movement can be expected to return in 1 to 2 weeks.
Can eating too much sugar cause trigger finger? ›High blood sugar increased the risk of being affected by trigger finger among both men and women in the groups with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Blood sugar is measured in HbA1C, also referred to as long-term blood sugar, and when regulated, is under 48.
What diseases are like trigger finger? ›Trigger finger and Dupuytren's contracture are both problems that affect the fingers and so one issue is often confused for the other. On the palmar side of each finger, there is a tendon that helps each finger bend toward the palm.
Can trigger finger be caused by anxiety? ›Anxiety can affect the entire body, and that includes your fingers. Finger symptoms may include pain, numbness/tingling, and spasms. Many finger-related symptoms point to adrenaline or hyperventilation as the likely cause. Anxiety can make someone more sensitive to “normal” finger sensations.
Where do they inject trigger finger? ›
The injection is done over the palmar proximal phalanx, through the tendon, and into the posterior deep space between the tendon and sheath.
How often do you need steroid injections for trigger finger? ›A second corticosteroid injection may be performed 3-4 weeks after the first one. If two or perhaps three injections fail to provide adequate resolution, consider referring the patient for surgical release.
Is trigger finger steroid injection painful? ›The cortisone is injected in the palm at the base of the affected finger. It takes about three to four seconds to do the injection, and during that time, it is admittedly painful. However, there's a numbing medication in the injection, so the pain is very short-lived.”
What is a physical exam for a trigger finger? ›A hand doctor will perform a physical exam of your hand if Trigger Finger is suspected. The specialist will have you open and close your hand while watching for catching, locking or motion that causes pain. The tendon of the affected finger may have an area that swells that can be felt in the palm.
How long does trigger finger usually last? ›It will probably take about 6 weeks for your finger to heal completely. After it heals, your finger may move easily without pain. How soon you can return to work depends on your job.
What diseases cause trigger finger? ›Trigger fingers are more common with certain medical conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout and diabetes are risk factors for this condition. Repeated and strong gripping may lead to the condition. In most cases, the cause of the trigger finger is not known.
What is the best anti-inflammatory for trigger finger? ›Topical NSAIDs such as ketoprofen and oral NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are commonly given to relieve the pain from trigger finger.
Is trigger finger surgery worth it? ›Trigger finger surgery is usually effective, and the problem is unlikely to happen again after surgery. Both the open and percutaneous release methods of surgery have a high success rate, and recovery is relatively quick.
Can trigger finger be caused by stress? ›The cause of trigger finger is not always known but it often results from excessive use and stress on the tendons. Vibration also seems to be a factor, as well as diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and gout. You will probably experience some pain and swelling at the base of your finger or thumb.
When should I see a doctor for trigger finger? ›Signs and symptoms of trigger finger include soreness, swelling, locking, and stiffness in the hand. The feeling that your finger is hot is a sign of infection, in which case you should see an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible. Pain and numbness of the finger joint also warrant immediate medical attention.