
Trigger finger, also called stenosing tenosynovitis, is a condition in which a finger is locked in a flexed position due to inflammation of the tendon in the sheath that surrounds it, making it difficult for the tendon to glide. It can cause pain over time.
Trigger finger usually occurs on the third or fourth finger as a result of repetitive and excessive hand movements. This condition is found in athletes such as paddlers, tennis players and golfers.
Finger trauma can also damage the tendon and cause trigger finger.
This condition is more common in women than in men and often presents in people between the ages of 30 and 50. An inflammatory health condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes can increase the likelihood of having a trigger finger.
Trigger finger can cause, but is not limited to, pain and swelling in the affected finger. A clicking sound, sometimes painful, can be heard when the finger moves into a flexed or extended position. Symptoms may worsen in the morning upon rising or after a period of inactivity. In more advanced cases, trigger finger can lead to permanent locking of the joint.