Trigger finger at a glance
Trigger finger is a medical condition that limits your ability to control one or more of your fingers. Your finger may get stuck in a bent position or bend and snap straight involuntarily, like a trigger. It is caused by an inflammation that narrows the sheath surrounding the tendons that help you flex your fingers.
The condition, also called stenosing tenosynovitis, can affect any of your fingers, including the thumb. It is marked by stiffness that is often worse in the mornings, a popping or snapping sound as you flex your fingers, pain and tenderness around the base of the finger, or a small bump at the base of the affected finger. According to Mayo Clinic, more than one of your fingers [1] can be affected at the same time.
Without treatment, trigger finger can get worse. In some cases, the fingers can get locked in a bent or straight position. You might not be able to move them yourself without using the other hand. You may also notice the symptoms appearing on more fingers. Trigger finger can be treated, but the treatment depends on the severity of a person’s case.
Anyone can develop a trigger finger, although certain conditions increase a person’s risk of developing it. The conditions that cause or increase a person’s likelihood of developing trigger finger are the focus of this article. Read on to find out.