What is it:
A condition where a finger or thumb becomes painful and difficult to straighten. In severe cases the finger may get stuck in a bent position.
Mechanism:
The precise cause of trigger finger is still unknown however repetitive finger movements such as occupations requiring extensive gripping, prolonged writing or grasping of small tools or objects are possibilities. This can cause thickening and narrowing of the space the tendon responsible for bending the finger travels through. This can cause the tendon to get caught in the space when straightening or bending the finger.
Clinical presentation:
- Finger stiffness and swelling especially in the morning
- Pain and poor movement in the finger
- A clicking or catching feeling in the finger
- Finger locking or clicking in a bent position, which suddenly pops straight
- Finger locking in a bent position and inability to straighten.
Management:
- Activity modification
- Custom thermoplastic splinting to prevent the friction caused by the tendon movement most commonly at the metacarpophalangeal joint (joint between the palm and finger)
- Home exercises to improve strength and range of motion.
