Musculoskeletal Condition · Glastonbury, CT

Trigger Finger

Trigger finger can cause a digit to catch, click or lock when bending. Learn about symptoms and evaluation with Dr. Tortland in Glastonbury, CT.

Written and clinically reviewed by

Paul D. Tortland, DO, FAOASM, CAQSM, RMSK

Dr. Paul Tortland, DO is a non-surgical orthopedic & sports medicine physician specializing in regenerative orthopedics and surgical alternative treatment. He is dual board-certified in Sports Medicine & Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and Regenerative Medicine, Fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine. He became the first physician in the world to earn board certification in Regenerative Medicine in 2015. Diplomate, American Board of Regenerative Medicine (ABRM), 2015. Registered in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (RMSK).

Condition

What is trigger finger?

Trigger finger is a finger that catches, clicks or locks when you bend it, often worse in the morning. The tendon is irritated where it passes under a tight loop at the base of the finger. Splinting and activity changes can help, and an ultrasound-guided injection is an option if the finger keeps catching. A finger that stays locked may need a small procedure to release it.

Explore related conditions: Browse the Elbow, wrist and hand condition hub for related diagnoses and treatment options.

CARE OPTIONS

How is trigger finger treated?

Dr. Tortland’s potential treatment options: Dr. Tortland can evaluate the flexor tendon and surrounding tissues with examination and, when useful, ultrasound to help determine whether an image-guided injection or another targeted approach is reasonable. Regenerative injections such as PRP treatment are not established first-line care for every trigger finger, and suitability must be assessed individually.

Physical therapy and traditional care: Traditional options include activity changes, a finger splint, hand therapy, and a corticosteroid injection when appropriate. These measures may reduce catching and pain; persistent locking may need a hand-surgery consultation.

When other care may be needed: A finger that becomes stuck, worsening loss of motion, or substantial redness and swelling should be evaluated. The right choice depends on symptom duration, severity, other conditions, and response to initial care.

Common questions

Questions about trigger finger

What causes trigger finger?

Trigger finger occurs when a flexor tendon thickens or its surrounding tunnel narrows, causing the finger to catch as it bends. It is more common with repetitive gripping, diabetes and inflammatory conditions. Examination helps distinguish tendon catching from arthritis or another cause of finger stiffness.

What are the symptoms of trigger finger?

Symptoms include a painful catch or click as the finger bends, stiffness in the morning, a tender nodule at the base of the finger, and sometimes a finger that locks.

What are the non-surgical treatment options for trigger finger?

First steps often include activity modification, a finger splint and hand therapy. A clinician may offer a corticosteroid injection if symptoms continue. Surgical release may be discussed for persistent triggering or a finger that locks; a locked finger should be assessed rather than forced straight.

What regenerative options may help trigger finger?

Hydrodissection or regenerative injections are not established first-line treatments for trigger finger and may be considered only in selected cases. Evidence is limited, so evaluation should clarify whether the tendon, tendon sheath or another problem is causing the catching before a procedure is discussed.