Flexor tendons run through a series of pulleys along each finger.
When the first pulley at the base thickens and the tendon swells into a nodule, the tendon catches as it passes through, like a knot through a ring.The thumb, ring and middle fingers are most often affected.
A click or catch when bending or straightening the finger, often worst in the morning.A tender lump at the base of the finger in the palm. Progression to a finger that locks bent and has to be pulled straight with the other hand.
Several fingers can be affected at once.
Common signs
Click or catch bending the finger
Worst in the morning
Tender lump at the base
Finger locks bent
See us sooner if
Finger locked for days
Redness or fever
Trigger Finger
Causes
Repetitive forceful gripping, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and hypothyroidism all increase the risk.It is more common in women and after age forty.It often appears alongside carpal tunnel syndrome and De Quervain tenosynovitis.
Trigger Finger
How We Diagnose It
The diagnosis is made by exam: a palpable nodule at the base of the finger that moves with the tendon, and reproducible catching. No imaging is needed.Locked fingers are distinguished from Dupuytren contracture and joint stiffness, which are treated differently.Usually treated with an injection at the first visit; release, if needed, is a ten-minute office procedure. Dr. Frazier, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Peterson operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Orem Community Hospital.
Trigger Finger
Treatment Options
A corticosteroid injection into the tendon sheath resolves roughly half of cases, sometimes permanently. A second injection is reasonable.
Fingers that still trigger or are locked are treated with trigger finger release, a ten-minute procedure that permanently opens the pulley.
ContactTalk toa real person.Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.
