Trigger Finger

What is trigger finger?

Trigger finger is also called stenosing tenosynovitis. Trigger finger happens when the covering of the tendon in your finger gets thick. A tendon is tissue that attaches muscle to bone. As you bend and straighten your finger, the tendon slides back and forth through its covering. When the tendon's covering grows too thick, it becomes harder for the tendon to move. You may have trigger finger in one or more of your fingers, or your thumb. Trigger finger may go away without treatment. If you need treatment, steroid injections (shots) or surgery may be done. With time or treatment, the symptoms of trigger finger, including pain and swelling, may decrease or go away.

What increases the chances of having trigger finger?

Playing instruments, such as the piano or guitar, or lifting objects using your fingers increases the risk of getting trigger finger. Having diabetes (a disease that causes high blood sugar) or arthritis (a disease that causes joint swelling) also increases your risk. Joints are the places in your body where two or more bones meet, such as at your knee or elbow. Other conditions that increase your risk include carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes nerve pressure in your wrist, and a disease called amyloidosis.

What are the signs and symptoms of trigger finger?

You may have one or more of the following:

• Finger pain.
  
  
• Finger swelling.
  
  
• A clicking or popping noise when you bend or straighten your finger.
  
  
• Trouble bending and straightening your finger.

How is trigger finger diagnosed?

Your caregiver will learn about your trigger finger during a physical exam. He will ask you about your signs and symptoms, and to bend and straighten your finger. He may ask you about your medical history, and if you play an instrument, such as the guitar.

How is trigger finger treated?

The pain, swelling, and other symptoms of trigger finger may go away without treatment. You may need to stop playing an instrument or avoid lifting objects. If you need treatment, one or more of the following may be done:

• Medicines:
  
  
  • NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine may decrease swelling and pain or fever. This medicine can be bought with or without a doctor's order. This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Always read the medicine label and follow the directions on it before using this medicine.
    
    
  • Steroid injections: Steroid medicine helps prevent and decrease swelling. Caregivers may give this medicine as a needle (shot) into your finger. If your symptoms do not go away, or go away and then come back, you may need more than one injection.
  
  
• Treatments:
  
  
  • Physical therapy: You may need to see a physical therapist to teach you special exercises. These exercises help improve movement and decrease pain. Physical therapy can also help improve strength and decrease your risk for loss of function.
    
    
  • Splinting: Wearing a splint on your finger will stop it from bending. You may need to wear a splint for about six weeks. If you need a splint, ask your caregiver when and how long to wear it.
    
    
  • Tendon release: A procedure called a tendon release may be needed to decrease or take away your trigger finger symptoms. Caregivers will use a needle (percutaneous tendon release) or another tool to cut open a small piece of the tendon covering in your finger.

What are the risks of having or treating trigger finger?

• Splinting may not decrease or take away your signs and symptoms. Steroid injections or tendon release procedures may harm the tendon or a nerve in your finger. Anti-inflammatory and steroid medicine may take away symptoms for a time, but the signs and symptoms may come back. After tendon release surgery, your finger may be stiff, painful, or weak. Your finger may be bruised or painful, and you may get an infection. After tendon release surgery, the tendon may sag into your palm when you bend your finger. With percutaneous tendon release, the covering of the tendon may not be completely cut. Your signs and symptoms may not go away after surgery if this happens.
  
  
• If you need treatment but do not have it, your signs and symptoms may stay the same, or get worse. Talk to your caregiver if you have questions or concerns about having or treating trigger finger.

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• The pain or swelling in your finger gets worse.
  
  
• You have more trouble moving, or cannot move your finger.
  
  
• Your finger feels like it is tingling, or you lose feeling in it.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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