Trigger Finger

If you wake up in the morning and your thumb or finger is “locked” in a flexed position, you may have a trigger finger. Trigger finger is inflammation around the tendons to your fingers or thumb. Tendons are held in place on the bones by a series of ligaments called pulleys. Irritation to the tendon may cause a nodule to form, which makes it difficult for the tendon to slide through the pulley. When the tendon catches and then suddenly releases, you feel a “triggering” sensation.

SYMPTOMS:

• One of the first symptoms of trigger finger is soreness at the base of the finger or thumb.
• The most common symptom is a painful clicking or snapping when bending or straightening the finger.
• In some cases, the finger or thumb locks in a bent or straight position as the condition gets worse and must be gently straightened with the other hand.

THERAPY:

The treatment for a trigger finger is aimed at decreasing the inflammation around the tendon, which includes:

• Resting the finger or thumb.
• Sometimes a splint is used
• Taking oral anti-inflammatory medication.
• A small injection of cortisone into the area of inflammation.
• If conservative treatments do not relieve your symptoms then a trigger finger release may be performed to open the pulley and allow the tendon to glide smoothly again.