In short
Trigger finger is when a finger or thumb catches, clicks or locks as you bend and straighten it. The tunnel the tendon slides through at the base of the finger has thickened and become too tight. It is more common in women, in people in their 50s and 60s, and in people with diabetes. Splinting, a steroid injection and a small operation all work, and the choice depends on how bad it is and how long it has been there.
On this page
What is trigger finger?
Trigger finger is a condition where a finger jams or gets stiff, or straightens with a painful snap. It can affect the thumb as well.1
The tendons that bend your fingers glide through a series of tight tunnels, formed by bands of tissue called pulleys that hold the tendon against the bone. If the wall of a tunnel thickens, the tunnel becomes too tight and the tendon can no longer slide through smoothly. It catches, then releases with a jolt.1 The tunnel involved is usually the first one, at the base of the finger where it meets the palm.2
Symptoms
- Clicking or catching when you bend or straighten the finger2
- Pain at the base of the finger or thumb, on the palm side2
- A finger that locks in a bent position and then straightens with a snap1
- Stiffness and loss of movement2
- In more advanced cases, a finger that jams and will not release even when you pull on it1
Pain that keeps coming back?
Talk it through with an Australian doctor online. No referral needed.
Who gets it?
Trigger finger is common. It can happen to anyone, but it is seen more often in:2
- Women
- People in their 50s and 60s
- People with diabetes
It is one of the common tendon problems of the hand, alongside conditions such as de Quervain's tenosynovitis.3
How is it diagnosed?
The diagnosis is usually simple and made from the story and an examination. Most people describe the clicking or locking themselves. A doctor will check for other causes of a stiff or painful finger, such as an injury.2
Treatment
Splinting, steroid injection and surgery are all effective. Which one makes sense depends on how severe the triggering is and how long you have had it.2
| Treatment | What it involves | What the evidence shows |
|---|---|---|
| Splint | A small splint holds one joint of the finger straight. Some are worn only at night.1,4 | Studies report less pain and less triggering. Reviewers recommend keeping one joint still for 6 to 10 weeks.4 |
| Steroid injection | An injection around the tendon at the base of the finger | It treats the problem in up to 6 in 10 people, though more than one injection may be needed.1 In two small trials it worked better than a local anaesthetic injection alone.5 |
| Surgery | A small cut in the palm, through which the surgeon opens the roof of the tight tunnel. It is usually done under local anaesthetic and takes about 20 minutes.1 | Compared with injection, open surgery may lead to fewer recurrences over 6 to 12 months, at the cost of more pain in the first week.6 |
What usually happens
Treatment is matched to how severe the triggering is and how long it has lasted.2 A splint may be tried first, sometimes just at night. Surgery may be considered if one or two injections have not worked.1
Risks of surgery
Possible complications include infection, a tender scar, numbness in the finger from damage to a nerve, which can be permanent, and a finger that will not fully straighten.1
When to see a doctor
- A finger or thumb that clicks, catches or locks and has not settled over a few weeks
- A finger stuck in a bent position that you cannot straighten
- A finger joint that is hot, red and swollen, or pain with a fever
- Numbness or tingling in the fingers. See our guide to carpal tunnel syndrome
See also arthritis in the hands, wrist pain and tendonitis.
Next step: talk to a doctor
Answer a few quick questions and you’ll get an email about your eligibility. A consultation doesn’t guarantee any particular treatment.
References
- healthdirect. Trigger finger release.
- Makkouk AH, Oetgen ME, Swigart CR, et al. Trigger finger: etiology, evaluation, and treatment. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2008;1(2):92-6.
- Adams JE, Habbu R. Tendinopathies of the Hand and Wrist. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015;23(12):741-50.
- Lunsford D, Valdes K, Hengy S. Conservative management of trigger finger: A systematic review. J Hand Ther. 2019;32(2):212-221.
- Peters-Veluthamaningal C, van der Windt DA, Winters JC, et al. Corticosteroid injection for trigger finger in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;2009(1):CD005617.
- Fiorini HJ, Tamaoki MJ, Lenza M, et al. Surgery for trigger finger. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2(2):CD009860.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. In an emergency, call 000.