Trigger Finger

Trigger finger: this condition involving swelling of the tendons that flex fingers and thumb. The tendon swells to the point that it has difficulty passing underneath the tissue (tendon sheath) that holds it down to the bone.

This condition is seen in occupations that involve repetitive gripping, pulling, lifting, or typing activities. Patients with diabetes, poor thyroid function, or inflammatory arthritis are at higher risk for this problem. Signs/symptoms include pain over the palm of the hand, catching or locking of the finger with flexion, and swelling.

Treatment
Treatment initially is conservative or nonsurgical and includes steroid injections, anti-inflammatory medicines, splinting, and activity modification.

Surgical intervention is reserved for patients who have failed conservative treatment and continue to have disabling pain and "triggering". Surgical release of the tissue over the tendon is the treatment of choice.