Trigger Finger

Question 1

What

Answer 1

is a condition causing pain and difficulty moving a finger. It is also known as stenosing tenosynovitis.

Question 2

Pathophysiology

Answer 2

The flexor tendons of the fingers pass through several tunnels (sheaths) along the length of the fingers. In trigger finger, there is thickening of the tendon or tightening of the sheath. This prevents the tendon from smoothly moving through the sheath when the finger is flexed and extended, causing pain, stiffness, or catching symptoms.

The most commonly affected part of the sheath is the first annular pulley (A1) at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint.

There may be a nodule on the tendon. When the finger is flexed, the nodule is outside the A1 pulley. As the finger is extended from a flexed position, the tendon nodule can get stuck at the entrance to the A1 pulley. This causes the finger to lock or get stuck in the bent position. It may release suddenly with a painful pop or click.

Question 3

Risk Factors

Answer 3

Patients more likely to be affected by trigger finger are:

In their 40s or 50s
Women (more often than men)
People with diabetes (more with type 1, but also type 2)

Question 4

Present

Answer 4

The typical presentation is with a troublesome finger, that:

Is painful and tender (usually around the MCP joint on the palm-side of the hand)
Does not move smoothly
Makes a popping or clicking sound
Gets stuck in a flexed position

Symptoms are typically worse in the morning and improve during the day.

Question 5

Treat

Answer 5

Management options include:

Rest and analgesia (a small number resolve spontaneously)
Splinting
Steroid injections
Surgery to release the A1 pulley