Trigger Finger
This condition affects one or more of the hand's tendons, making it difficult to bend the affected finger or thumb. If the tendon or tendon sheath becomes swollen and inflames, the tendon can get irritate and 'catch' in the sheath creating a clicking sensation (hence the name).
It is also knows as 'stenosing tenosynovitis' or 'stenosing tenovaginosis' and it can affect any finger or thumb.
Grading
Painful/Tender
Catching
Locking
Locked
Risk Factors
Female
In the age group of 40-60
Previous hand injuries
Diabetes
Rheumatoid arthritis
Gout
Amyloidosis
Hypothyroidism
Carpel tunnel
Dupuytren's contracture
De Quervain's Contracture
Symptoms
Pain at the base of affected finger - on movement or if presses
More painful in the morning
Nodule near pulley of affected finger
Affected finger stuck in flexion
Treatment
NSAIDs
Splinting - night splinting
Corticosteroid Injections - painful area to inject (50-70% affective)
Surgery - grade 4
Exercise - AROM of CMC, DIP and PIP joints (Grade 1/2)
Differential Diagnosis
Dupuytren's contracture
Dislocation
Focal dystonia
Sesamoid bone anomalies
Post-traumatic tendon entrapment
MCP OA
1. NHS. (2022), Overview: Trigger finger. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/trigger-finger/. [Accessed March, 2023.]
2. Makkouk, A., Oetgen, M., Swigart, C., and Dodds, S. (2008), Trigger finger: etiology, evaluation and treatment, Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684207/. [Accessed March, 2023.]
3. Swansea Bay University Health Board. (NO DATE), Trigger finger/thumb. Available from: https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/hospitals/a-z-hospital-services/physiotherapy/musculoskeletal-physiotherapy/hand-wrist-pain/trigger-finger-thumb/. [Accessed March, 2023.]