Trigger finger

If you have trigger finger, our surgeons can help you find the right treatment. Penn Integrated Hand Program surgeons provide comprehensive non-surgical and surgical treatment options to effectively treat trigger finger.

The Penn Integrated Hand Program offers a team of specialists including orthopaedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, hand therapists and others who use the latest minimally invasive techniques to get your hand back to normal and your pain under control.

Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a common, treatable condition.

The hand is made up of tendons that cause our fingers and thumb to flex. These tendons are tethered close to the bones by connective tissue or “pulleys.” If a tendon develops a nodule or knot, or if the sheath covering the tendon is inflamed and swollen, the tendon can’t move as easily, causing a bent or locked finger.

You may have trigger finger if you experience:

• Pain at the base of the finger or end of the palm
• Popping or clicking of finger
• Sensation of locking or catching when you bend and straighten your finger
• Stiffness
• Swelling and tenderness

If you notice any signs and symptoms of trigger finger, you should make an appointment with a Penn Integrated Hand Program specialist for an evaluation.

Trigger finger is sometimes the result of an underlying illness or medical condition that causes inflammation of the tissues of the hand, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

However, many people also develop trigger finger from:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Repetitive trauma

Our orthopaedic specialists will first examine your hand and discuss your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may also order additional imaging tests.

Penn’s Integrated Hand Program uses musculoskeletal ultrasound, an advanced imaging technology, to help diagnose trigger finger. A musculoskeletal ultrasound uses high-resolution imaging that enables surgeons to see soft tissues such as nerves, tendons, muscles and ligaments to diagnose many different hand and wrist conditions. This technology enables physicians to make an accurate diagnosis in order to create a treatment plan that offers the best possible outcome for those with trigger finger.