Without treatment, trigger finger may cause one of your fingers to get stuck in a bent position. Brian Schofield, MD, John Hand, MD, and Adam Bright, MD, at Schofield, Hand and Bright Orthopaedics can diagnose and treat trigger finger at their office in Sarasota, Florida. If you have unusual pain, stiffness, or a locking sensation in your finger, call or book an appointment online today.
Also called stenosing tenosynovitis, trigger finger happens when one of the tendons responsible for bending your finger (flexor tendon) becomes inflamed and swollen. The inflammation can cause pain, stiffness, and a locking or catching sensation when you bend and straighten the affected finger.
This condition can occur in any finger, but it’s most common in the ring finger and thumb. When trigger finger affects your thumb, it’s called trigger thumb.
Trigger finger symptoms usually start out mild and become progressively worse. Common signs and symptoms of trigger finger include:
Your finger may stay caught in a bent position and then suddenly snap straight. In severe cases, you may be unable to straighten a finger that is locked in a bent position.
While it’s not clear what causes trigger finger, certain factors may increase your risk for developing this condition. Risk factors for trigger finger include:
Although trigger finger can affect people of both sexes, this condition is more common among women.
As a trained sports medicine physician, Dr. Schofield, Dr. Hand, and Dr. Bright typically diagnose trigger finger by discussing your symptoms with you and examining the affected hand. During the exam, they check your fingers for signs of trigger finger, such as stiffness and locking.
Then, they recommend the best course of treatment for your condition. Depending on the severity of your trigger finger, your treatment may include:
If your trigger finger symptoms don’t improve with treatment, Dr. Schofield, Dr. Hand, and Dr. Bright may recommend surgery.
To find relief from trigger finger, call Schofield, Hand and Bright Orthopaedics or schedule an appointment online today.