Trigger Finger, Tendons, Hand

The long tendons in your hand called flexor tendons allow you to move your fingers and thumb. Flexor tendons slide through a tunnel called the tendon sheath. If the tendon becomes irritated it cannot glide smoothly through the tendon sheath. Typically the tendon feels stuck. You may feel a pop as the tendon works through the tight tunnel or your finger may shoot straight out. The causes for trigger finger are not known and in some cases the condition gets better without treatment.

Conservative treatments can include:

Anti-inflammatory medication to decrease swelling and reduce pain
Splitting to decrease movement and allow the tendon to rest
Steroid injections to reduce swelling

If your trigger finger does not respond to conservative treatment your consultant may recommend surgery to widen the tendon sheath.

Related treatments and procedures

Hand surgery

The need for hand surgery can arise from a variety of problems including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel release, de quervain’s and dupuytren’s.

Trigger finger release

Trigger finger release involves cutting the thickened tunnel around the tendon in your finger, allowing the tendon to glide frely through the tunnel. You should be able to move your finger immediately after surgery with full movement returning within two weeks.