A finger that catches, clicks, or briefly gets stuck can turn simple tasks like opening a jar, typing, or gripping a steering wheel into a nuisance. At OIBortho, our hand and wrist team treats trigger finger in patients throughout Central and South New Jersey. Brian M. Katt, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with Duke fellowship training in hand surgery. His published work also includes research on patient understanding of trigger finger.
What Is Happening When Your Finger Catches?
Trigger finger, also called stenosing tenosynovitis, involves the tendon that bends your finger or thumb. Normally, that tendon slides smoothly through a surrounding sheath. When the tendon or sheath becomes irritated and swollen, movement can become restricted. The tendon may hesitate at the narrowed area and then release, creating a click, pop, or sudden snap.
Early on, you might notice stiffness or tenderness near the base of the affected finger, especially in the morning. As irritation progresses, bending or straightening can become less smooth. In more pronounced cases, the finger may remain bent until you straighten it with the other hand.
How Is Trigger Finger Different From Other Hand Problems?
Hand and wrist arthritis tends to cause joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced motion. Carpal tunnel syndrome is related to pressure on the median nerve and is more likely to cause numbness, tingling, nighttime discomfort, or weakness.
Trigger finger feels different because the main problem is mechanical. The finger catches or locks as the tendon moves. An examination by a hand specialist can help determine whether the trouble is coming from a tendon, joint, or nerve.
Does Trigger Finger Always Need Surgery?
Not necessarily. Our hand and wrist specialists use both operative and non-operative approaches. Depending on how often the finger locks, how much it hurts, and whether daily tasks are becoming difficult, care may begin with activity changes, splinting, anti-inflammatory medication, therapy, or a corticosteroid injection.
If those measures do not bring enough relief or the finger remains locked, trigger finger release may be considered. The outpatient procedure opens the tight portion of the tendon sheath so the tendon has more room to glide.
Occupational therapy can also be useful when hand pain or stiffness interferes with grip, dexterity, work, or other everyday activities.
When Finger Locking Is Worth Evaluating
You do not have to wait until a finger is completely stuck to ask about persistent catching. If hand symptoms are making routine activities harder, contact us to arrange an evaluation with Dr. Katt and our OIBortho hand team in Central or South New Jersey. You can also reach us at 732-800-9000.