Trigger Finger

Repeated gripping movements are necessary for many jobs and hobbies, but they can eventually lead to a condition called trigger finger. The board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Austin Sports Medicine, serving the community in and around Central and South Austin, Bee Cave, Cedar Park, and Pflugerville, Texas, specialize in treating trigger finger so that you can move your finger smoothly again. To book a trigger finger evaluation for treatment, call Austin Sports Medicine or request an appointment online today. 

What is trigger finger?

Trigger finger is a condition that causes one of your fingers to remain in a bent position at all times. Also called stenosing tenosynovitis, trigger finger occurs when inflammation within your finger causes the space surrounding the tendon in your finger to become narrower. 

If you have trigger finger, it might not seem like much of an issue at first. It can affect any of your fingers, including your thumb, and might feel worse in the morning when you first wake up. 

As your condition worsens, you might experience symptoms like:

• Stiffness
• Clicking or popping when you move your finger
• Finger locking or catching in one position when you try to move it
• A nodule at your finger’s base
• Numbness or pain in the joint

If the affected finger appears to be inflamed or warm to the touch, you should seek care right away. These symptoms could indicate an infection. Whether or not your finger is infected, your specialist can perform in-office procedures to treat your condition. 

What causes trigger finger?

The tendon inflammation or irritation that leads to trigger finger can come from several different factors. Trigger finger often develops when you use repeated gripping motions with your hands for your job or your hobby. You can also develop trigger finger after undergoing surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Certain health conditions can contribute to trigger finger. Diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis can both worsen the symptoms of trigger finger for certain patients. 

How is trigger finger treated?

Your specialist provides treatments and surgery for trigger finger in-office. They use minimally invasive techniques to promote a shorter and more comfortable recovery. While resting your finger, using gentle stretches, and taking medications can help ease some of your symptoms, surgery may be necessary.

To perform trigger finger surgery, your surgeon makes a small incision on the base of the affected finger. Through the incision, they cut the tendon, causing your finger to tighten and bend. 

Another minimally invasive method for treating trigger finger is called percutaneous release. Your provider numbs your hand before inserting a needle into the tissue around your finger’s tendon. Using ultrasound for guidance, they move the needle and your finger to loosen the tendon and alleviate constriction. 

If you struggle to straighten one of your fingers, call Austin Sports Medicine or book an appointment online for in-office trigger finger treatment today.