FLEXOR TENOSYNOVITIS (TRIGGER FINGER)

Trigger finger limits finger movement. When trying to straighten your finger, it will lock or catch before popping out straight. This is caused when the flexor tendon (the cord that connects the muscle to bone) becomes irritated as it slides through the tendon sheath tunnel (or finger pulley). As the tendon becomes more and more irritated, it may thicken and nodules may form, making its passage through the tunnel more difficult. The tendon sheath may also thicken, causing the tunnel opening to become smaller.

Symptoms include a tender lump in your palm, swelling, a catching or popping sensation, and/or pain when bending or straightening your finger. The stiffness and catching tend to be worse with inactivity, such as when you first wake up in the morning. The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation and return finger function and range of motion. The doctors at the hand institute are currently performing a state-of-the-art procedure, offering a quick and painless technique in the office to treat trigger finger.

Trigger finger is a condition that affects the flexor tendons of the fingers. These tendons attach the forearm muscles to the bones of the fingers and allow the fingers to bend. With trigger finger, you will experience a “locking” or “catching” sensation when you try to bend and extend your finger. This is caused when the tendon becomes irritated as it slides through the tendon sheath tunnel and the pulley. The pulley holds the flexor tendons close to the bones. The pulley becomes inflamed and thickened which makes passage through the tunnel more difficult. The tendon can also become more irritated, thicken and develop nodules on the surface. When the tendon with a nodule passes through the pulley, there will be a catching or popping sensation, which can be very painful. In very severe cases of trigger finger, your finger can become stuck in a bent position. Sometimes, you might have to use your other hand to forcefully straighten the affected finger. Your finger can also become stuck in a straight position, preventing you from fully closing your hand.

Symptoms include a tender lump in your palm, swelling, a catching or popping sensation, and/or pain when bending or straightening your finger. The stiffness and catching tend to be worse with inactivity, such as when you first wake up in the morning. The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation and return finger function and range of motion. Non-surgical treatment involves resting the hand and avoiding activities that worsen the condition, wearing a splint at night to keep the finger in a straight position, performing exercises to decrease stiffness and improve range of motion and taking anti-inflammatory medications.

If non-surgical methods are ineffective, surgery may be an option for you. In some cases, our surgeons may treat your trigger finger by performing a state of the art procedure, offering a quick and painless technique in the office to treat trigger finger.