Ask a Librarian!
Our librarians will help you research a specific health topic
Conditions InDepth
A reference guide to more than 100 health and medical conditions
Conditions InBrief
 An excellent reference source for understanding illnesses and injuries
Is your child sick?
How to relieve your child's symptoms at home (En Espanol)
Are you sick?
Helping you answer health questions when your doctor is not available (En Espanol)
Be well
Keep you and your family healthy
Drug information
Information about hundreds of prescription and non-prescription drugs
Complementary therapies
Objective, science-based information on natural medicine
Diagnostic procedures
Quick view reference for many procedures
Procedures InMotion
Animated introductions to a variety of screening, diagnostic, and treatment procedures
Health headlines
Today's top health news
Medical Dictionary
Definitions for more than 55,000 medical terms
   

Interactive tools
Behavioral health screening tools
See if you or a loved one might need help with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, stress & more
Health Calculators
Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist-to-Hip Ratio, Calories Burned and Activity Calculator
Anatomy Explorer
Did you know there are 206 bones and well over 600 muscles in the human body?
Condition Explorer
Our Health Condition Explorer shows you conditions that affect each part of your body
Drug Checker
If you take multiple medications, consult the Drug Checker to be sure they're not interacting with each other

 

 

 Trigger Finger

Trigger Finger

(Stenosing Tenosynovitis; Volar Flexor Tenosynovitis)

by Nicky Lowney, MA

Definition

Tendons connect bones to muscles in the body. Flexor tendons of the thumb and fingers pull the fingers into a fist. The tendons are enclosed in a synovial sheath. When this sheath becomes inflammed it is called trigger finger.

Usually, tendons slide easily through the sheath as the finger moves. In the case of trigger finger, the synovial sheath is swollen. The tendon cannot move easily. This causes the finger to remain in a flexed (bent) position. In mild cases, the finger may be straightened with a pop. In severe cases, the finger becomes stuck in the bent position. Usually this condition can easily be treated. Contact your doctor if you think you may have trigger finger.

Trigger Finger

si55550723_96472_1

© 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

Often, the cause of trigger finger is unknown. However, many cases of trigger finger are caused by one of the following:

  • Overuse of the hand from repetitive motions
    • Computer operation
    • Machine operation
    • Repeated use of hand tools
    • Playing musical instruments
  • Inflammation caused by a disease

Risk Factors

The following factors increase your chance of developing trigger finger:

  • Age: 40 to 60
  • History of repetitive hand motions for work or play
  • Sex: female
  • History of certain diseases:
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
    • Gout
    • Hypothyroidism

Symptoms

If you experience any of these do not assume it is due to trigger finger. Some of these symptoms may be caused by other health conditions. If you experience any one of them for a period of time, see your physician.

  • Finger or thumb stiffness
  • Finger, thumb, or hand pain
  • Swelling or a lump in the palm
  • Catching or popping when straightening the finger or thumb
  • Finger or thumb stuck in bent position

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The physical exam may include:

  • Asking you to move the affected finger or thumb
  • Feeling the hand and fingers

For severe cases, your doctor may refer you to a hand specialist.

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. The goal of treatment is to reduce swelling and pain. This will allow the tendon to move freely in the sheath. Treatment options include the following:

Rest

Stopping movement in the finger or thumb is often the best treatment for mild cases of trigger finger. A brace or splint may be used. Rest may be combined with stretching the muscle tendon unit.

Medications

Several medications are used to treat tenosynovitis. These include:

  • Corticosteroids—given as an injection into the synovial tendon sheath to reduce swelling of the tendon sheath
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help reduce inflammation and pain:

Surgery

Severe cases of trigger finger may not respond to medications. In this case, surgery may be used to release the tendon from a locked position. This surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. It only requires a small incision in the palm of the hand.

If you are diagnosed with trigger finger, follow your doctor's instructions .

Prevention

Avoid overuse of your thumb and fingers. If you have a job or hobby that involves repetitive motions of the hand, you can take the following steps:

  • Adjust your workspace to minimize the strain on your joints.
  • Alternate activities when possible.
  • Take breaks throughout the day.

RESOURCES:

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://www.orthoinfo.aaos.org/

American Society for Surgery of the Hand
http://www.assh.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

The Arthritis Society
http://www.arthritis.ca/

BC Health Guide, British Columbia Ministry of Health
http://www.bchealthguide.org/

References:

Trigger finger. DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamicmedical.com/dynamed.nsf?opendatabase . Accessed September 5, 2005.

Trigger finger. MayoClinic.com website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00155 . Accessed September 5, 2005.

What is trigger finger? The Indiana Hand Center website. Available at: http://www.indianahandcenter.com/medical_trigger.html . Accessed September 5, 2005.


Last reviewed September 2009 by Robert E. Leach, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Copyright © 2009 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

[ Aurora clinical research ]

 
 


Copyright Aurora Health Care, a not-for-profit health care provider serving Wisconsin.
3000 W. Montana St., Milwaukee, WI 53215, (414) 647-3000
Disclaimer | Privacy notice | Contact us
.