Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is a type of tendonitis or tenosynovitis around the tendons that flex (bend) your finger. It is a type of inflammation that occurs for unknown reasons. Sometimes various activities and employment may substantially contribute to the development of this condition, although the exact cause is unknown. The middle and ring fingers are most involved, although triggering can occur in all fingers. Symptoms include snapping (known as triggering) or even actual locking of the finger in a flexed position. This often occurs at night, or upon awakening in the morning. Often, the patient must manually straighten the finger by using his other hand.

Pain and swelling might also occur in the palm of the hand, known as the A1 pulley area, which is where the inflammation actually occurs. When the locked tendon releases, the finger jumps or snaps, as if you were releasing a trigger of a gun. This further irritates the tendon, and they set up a cycle of catching and swelling. Cortisone injections are almost always effective, at least temporarily, with good results lasting for weeks to months. If triggering continues, you may be a candidate for surgery, which is performed in the operating room as an outpatient, under local anesthesia, with intravenous sedation. The A1 pulley area is released through an incision in the palm of the hand less than an inch in length. Following surgery, occupational therapy is necessary to ensure a good result. Complications include scarring, stiffness, infection, and injury to adjacent structures. Complications, however, are rare and most patients are uniformly satisfied.