Trigger finger is when a finger or thumb gets stuck in a bent position and then suddenly snaps straight, like a trigger being released. It’s caused by a narrowing around the tendon. It’s common, especially in people with diabetes, and very treatable.
Imagine waking up with your ring finger curled into your palm. When you try to straighten it, it resists, then pops open with a painful click. It loosens up through the morning. You’ve been ignoring it for months, but now it’s catching while you write and grip.
Signs
- Clicking, catching or locking when you bend or straighten the finger
- Stiffness, often worse in the morning
- A tender lump at the base of the finger or thumb on the palm side
It’s more common in women, people over 40, and those with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid problems, and after repetitive gripping.
Treatment
- Rest from activities that trigger it, and simple painkillers
- A splint to keep the finger straight, often at night
- A steroid injection into the tendon sheath, which works for many people
- A minor procedure to release the tight band if other treatments don’t work
But when should you get it checked?
See a doctor if a finger is locked and won’t straighten, if symptoms are affecting daily life, or if the area is hot, red and swollen, which could be an infection needing urgent treatment.
Your next step: If a finger has been catching for more than a few weeks, book an appointment. Early treatment is simpler and avoids the finger getting permanently stiff.
Sources: NHS (Trigger finger), American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, British Society for Surgery of the Hand. This guide is for general information and does not replace advice from your own nurse, doctor or physiotherapist.
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