5 Signs You Have Trigger Finger

While some hobbies can contribute to the development of trigger finger, the condition isn’t usually found among gun enthusiasts. 

The name “trigger finger” comes from the sudden snapping that happens when you try to straighten a finger that seems to be stuck in a curled position. In some cases, this condition, caused by tendon inflammation, can become so severe that the affected digit stays permanently curled. 

At his practices in North Carolina, orthopedic expert Samuel S. Abrams, MD, and the rest of our team understand that trigger finger can cause hand pain and severely limit hand function and mobility. 

In this month’s blog, we highlight the telltale signs of the condition and discuss how we can help. 

Causes of and risk factors for trigger finger

The tendons in your fingers connect the bones and muscles in your fingers and hands. A soft layer of protective tissue surrounds the tendons, and it can become irritated or inflamed when you use repeated hand motions, such as clenching your fists or using great force when gripping objects. 

The tissue inflammation prevents full tendon mobility, causing your finger to resist straightening when you unclench your hand. As the condition develops, the affected tendon can grow scar tissue or bumps, which further aggravate the trigger finger.

You might be at risk for developing trigger finger if your job requires long periods of gripping something or if your favorite hobby requires a gripping motion that you hold and frequently repeat during the activity.

Health issues that can increase your risk of trigger finger include rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. You can also develop the condition if you’ve recently undergone surgery to correct carpal tunnel syndrome. Women suffer from trigger finger more frequently than men.

Do you have trigger finger?

Trigger finger can affect your thumb or any of your fingers, and it may affect multiple digits at once and occur in both of your hands. The condition can range from mildly bothersome to incredibly severe. 

You can typically recognize trigger finger through these five telltale signs:

• Stiff fingers
• Clicks and pops when you bend your fingers
• Fingers that stay in a bent position and snap suddenly back into position
• Fingers that lock permanently into the bent position
• Numbness or pain in finger joints

While mild trigger finger may benefit from at-home care or a wait-and-see approach, it’s typically best to seek medical care when you notice any of these symptoms.

Treating trigger finger symptoms

Your trigger finger treatment plan depends largely on its severity. Typically, we use conservative methods first and consider more aggressive options later on if the initial treatments are ineffective. 

Taking anti-inflammatory pain medications can help with pain and general discomfort, but they don’t necessarily address the underlying cause. Undergoing one or more sessions of corticosteroid injections near the site of the affected tendon typically helps with inflammation reduction and overall healing. 

Another option is a technique called trigger finger release. This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure involving release of the structures preventing smooth finger motion and causing pain.

If trigger finger is affecting your mobility, causing painful symptoms, seek relief with Dr. Abrams and the rest of our team by calling your nearest office location or using our online booking feature today. Our offices are located in Asheville, Arden, and Hendersonville, North Carolina.