Trigger Finger Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a common condition seen by hand surgeons. Swelling and inflammation in the flexor tendons, which bend your fingers into your palm, can cause your finger to catch or lock when you try and make a fist. Often, trigger finger can be treated successfully without surgery.

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS
+ Trigger finger is most common in women
+ Certain medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis
+ Overuse, such as repetitive gripping
+ On occasions traumatic injuries may lead to trigger finger

SYMPTOMS
+ Swelling
+ Tender lump in the hand
+ Popping and catching in the finger joints
+ Pain when extending or bending the finger
+ Stiffness in the fingers after prolonged inactivity, like sleeping

The Center is a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of all musculoskeletal conditions, with ten locations throughout Central Oregon. Founded in 1958 as Bend Orthopedic and Fracture, the practice continues to be driven by leading best practice and innovation. With a staff of 24 physicians and 22 mid-level providers, our expertly trained specialists in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, sports medicine, and occupational medicine, The Center is here to keep our community healthy, active, and strong.

[JPEstrada]

I was worried because I didn’t know what was happening to my hand, so thank you for informing me! Your video was super easy to understand!

[janiceegolf]

I had this once in the past. Tried my home remedy which worked for me and the condition has not returned to date. At night before bed I placed a loose fitting glove on my hand and inserted popsicle sticks in the finger slots so my fingers could not bend. In the morning my fingers felt achy (like they had been trying to bend during the night but couldn’t). Repeated this for 3 or 4 nights. After several years there is no recurrence and the finger seem to be working normally.

[jessuminechannel]

This was uploaded last Dec. 14, 2019. It's been blessing a lot including me Doctor, thank you. Now, we know what to do. Hoping you're okay doctor.

[RixGuitar]

I’m currently experiencing this on middle finger… I’m a guitarist and thank goodness it’s on my right hand (picking and strumming) rather than my fretting hand .. still able to work 3x a week gigs a bit sore and hope it goes away

[conner]

I'm a full time welder for a building manufacturer and also a self employed welder. Ive been dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger for years, no matter how much I stretch it just keeps getting worse. I'm 30, I shouldn't be dealing with this yet haha.

[drsadafsyed]

tanks for the information, i have searched for many videos but have not got the answer to my questions .. thanks for explaiing it so nicely ...

[victoriahutchful]

I had a trigger finger on my right thumb which was so painful for months before I decided to get a surgery done and it did help, now am experiencing another in my left third finger,

[sandymcqueen]

Thank you very much, you explained the condition so clearly and simple.

[yvonneschimmel]

OMG I had 5 terrible days of pain on my hands. This freeze hands are aweful

[robbryant]

Excellent information I started to have trigger finger last 7 days will take your advice and see if home treatment will be successful

[carolbenson]

Very informative! I think I overused my right fingers from pulling up and yanking weeds from my garden this summer...worse at night. I'm icing it and massaging my fingers. I think it's slightly better. We'll see.

[francelinacamilo]

Great information, I wish you live in my city, because I have this problem for many years, and the doctors here ingnore all together, imfortly I believe on my case I have to live until I die with it.

[TSRAONZB]

Good Morning sir . I am a trigger finger(s)
Patient . In 2008 year my right hand all the 5 fingers showed symptoms of stensing tenosynovitis . I underwent the surgery to all the 5 fingers . I felt much comfort after the surgery . Again in 2016 Three fingers of my left hand ... Thumb, ring and pointing finger again troubling me the trigger finger . Once again the same orthopedic surgeon operated those 3 fingers . I got rid of the problem. Again in 2018 Some problem with my wrist and diagnosis says that it is de quervein tenosynovitis, Once again I under went surgery . No it is fine . Last month on 26.08.2022 once again Trigger finger severe pain noticed to my left hand little finger . Again A1 pulley problem is cleared by surgery . .Finally only me left hands middle finger is left . No symptoms of trigger finger . Sir what should I do to prevent the only remaining finger not to be found as triggered finger . My age now is 56 . Male . I am not the heavy user of fingers . Never over strain them .

[ioyugve]

Thank you for beautiful explanation, I started experiencing this locked finger this year in January. Am doing finger exercises till the day for hospital appointment

[jeslis]

Hey people, don't forget to change ur diet.. personally, dropped all sodas ( 2 a day) and stopped eating fast food breakfast . It took aprx 3-4 weeks to make a tight fist without worry of trigger finger but I could notice after 3-4 days T- finger was only happening bout once a day vs 3-4 .. never went to doctor. I'm 54

[elsaireland]

Very well done informative video, many thanks for making and sharing it 🌷

[abang.danial]

Hi Doctor, I had a very painful trigger finger on my middle finger, I went to a local clinic, the Doctor gave one shot of steroid injection 💉, after a week the pain was still there, I went over to the Clinic again, and the Doctor 😷 gave another steroid injection 💉...i forced my hand to force and push a cabinet 🗄, I felt something cracked inside my hand 🖐️....I went and checked with a specialist Doctor, he said my tendon on the middle finger is cracked due to the frequent steroid injection 💉, it has soften my tendon and he said not safe to take the steroid injection frequently....now I have to do a surgery for the broken tendon and my trigger finger pain as well...i can't bend the end of my middle finger, it's a very disappointed experience for me 😥...pls be careful before taking the steroid injection 💉....better get a specialist opinion...just sharing my experience with the trigger finger effects

[TrewlPatrol]

I took a job this winter clearing snow, which obviously consists of a lot of shoveling. Never had hand issues before, and in the past month or so, I’ve been experiencing these exact symptoms.
On both hands, my middle and ring fingers specifically, I wake up to them practically locked into place, with the middle finger being most severe on my right hand(my dominant hand). After about an hour or so of being awake, the symptoms decrease significantly, but there’s still a noticeable pain but the locked finger(s) go away. Can definitely feel something going on with the tendons

[rhubymellapre]

Thank you for the information.Godbless

[theepanrealtorvaratharajan]

Can it be from holding modern cell phones in hand too? The larger iPhones are heavy (300grams).