Having trouble straightening out your finger from a bent position is a sign of a condition called trigger finger. It can also cause the finger to suddenly snap into place when straightening or bending it, as when pulling and releasing a trigger.
Also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, trigger finger usually affects the thumb or the ring finger. Your finger may feel stiff, and you may experience a locking sensation.
How Does Trigger Finger Start?
Trigger finger is a result of an inflamed tendon in the affected finger. Tendons are the thick cords of tissue that connect a muscle to a bone, and there is a protective sheath which covers the tendon – and in trigger finger, this sheath is experiencing inflammation.
This inflammation interferes with the smooth movement of the tendon, so the finger “pops” when moving or remains stuck in position. If the inflammation continues without treatment, the tendon tissue could become thick, develop scarring, and even develop little nodules that will make the condition even worse.
Typical causes of trigger finger or trigger thumb include:
- Frequent gripping motions in your profession or hobby
- Diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Past carpal tunnel syndrome surgery
Women are more prone than men to developing this condition, especially women who are over the age of 40. People whose jobs require them to rely heavily on manipulating their fingers are especially at risk, such as typists, cashiers, dental technicians, and writers. People who engage in hobbies that require repetitive use of the hands, such as musicians and painters, are also prone to developing this condition.
Is It Trigger Finger or Something Else?
Signs of trigger finger include the snapping movements, the finger being stuck in a bent position, finger stiffness early in the morning, and a bump at the base of the affected finger or fingers. When it comes to hand problems, trigger finger shares many symptoms with other orthopedic conditions affecting the hands, so it is in your best interest to have your fingers evaluated by an orthopedist who specializes in hand conditions.
Hand Surgeons in Greater Chesapeake
If you are experiencing one or more of these problems in your hands and fingers, let the hand doctors at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder help restore the normal function of your fingers. Our physicians have years of successful experience diagnosing and treating conditions related to the hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders, and we can treat your condition quickly and effectively.
Let us help resolve your finger issues and get your hand working normally again. Contact us today by calling us at (410) 296-6232 or request an appointment now via our online form. We have a number of medical offices conveniently located across Maryland, and we look forward to seeing you here.
