Overview
what it is and why it mattersTrigger finger is when one of the small fibrous tunnels at the base of your finger (the A1 pulley) thickens and gets narrow, so the tendon that bends your finger has trouble sliding through it. The tendon catches as it tries to pass, which is what makes the finger snap, click, or lock when you bend or straighten it. In severe cases, the finger gets stuck bent and you have to use your other hand to pry it back out.
The ring finger and thumb are the most common targets. You're more likely to develop it if you have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or a job or hobby that involves repeated gripping. It can show up at any age but is most common in women over 40.
Diagnosis
exam first, imaging secondWe diagnose trigger finger entirely from the exam: tenderness at the base of the finger in the palm, often a small nodule you can feel on the tendon, and the classic snapping or locking when you bend the finger. No imaging is needed for typical cases. Ultrasound is useful to confirm the tendon nodule and to guide injection precisely if you go that route.
Treatment Path
how care progresses at OSI1
Corticosteroid injection
A small steroid injection placed right next to the tendon at the A1 pulley is highly effective — 60-90% of mild-to-moderate cases resolve, and most patients only need one or two injections.
2
Splinting
A small splint that holds the base of the finger straight rests the tendon and can resolve mild triggering on its own — most useful in the early phase before the tendon has built up a thickened nodule.
3
Activity modification
Cut back on gripping activities during the painful stretch — the same repetitive motions that flared the tendon are what keep it irritated.
Surgical Options at OSI
if non-operative care isn't enoughSurgery comes in when injections haven't quieted the symptoms, when the finger is locked and won't straighten even with help, or when injections aren't a good option in the first place — most often for diabetic patients, where steroids are both less effective and can spike blood sugar. The procedure (a trigger finger release) opens the narrow tunnel through a small incision in the palm, freeing the tendon to glide normally.
Providers Who Treat Trigger Finger
sports-medicine team
Further Reading
authoritative sourcesExternal patient-education references and related OSI pages for additional background: