To get the best experience while viewing this site, it is recommended that you upgrade to a modern browser version of Chrome or Firefox.

You may do so by clicking on one of these icons:


southern new mexico surgery center
 
  •  

  •  
    Health Library Explorer
    A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us
    Urology
    A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Back to Intro
    Click a letter to see a list of medical procedures beginning with that letter.
    Click 'Back to Intro' to return to the beginning of this section.

    What Is Trigger Finger?

    Trigger finger is an inflammation of tissue inside your finger or thumb. It's also called tenosynovitis. Tendons are cordlike fibers that attach muscle to bone and allow you to bend the joints. They can become swollen. So does the synovium. This is a slick membrane that allows the tendons to move easily. This makes it hard to straighten the finger or thumb.

    How to say it

    tehn-oh-sin-oh-VI-tihs

    Causes

    Repeated use of a tool with strong gripping, such as a drill or wrench, can irritate and inflame the tendons and the synovium. It's also more common in certain medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and diabetes. But often the cause of trigger finger is unknown.

    Inside your finger

    Tendons connect muscles in your forearm to the bones in your fingers. The tendons in each finger are surrounded by a protective tendon sheath. This sheath is lined with synovium. The synovium makes a fluid that allows the tendons to slide easily when you bend and straighten the finger. If a tendon is irritated, it becomes inflamed.

    When a tendon is inflamed

    When a tendon is inflamed, it causes the lining of the tendon sheath to swell and thicken. Or the tendon itself may thicken. Then the sheath pinches the tendon. The tendon can then no longer slide easily inside the sheath. When you straighten your finger, the tendon sticks or “locks” as it tries to squeeze back through the sheath.

    Palm view of hand showing anatomy of trigger finger.

    Symptoms

    The first sign of trigger finger may be pain where the finger or thumb joins the palm. You may also notice some swelling. As the tendon becomes more inflamed, the finger may start to catch when you try to straighten or bend it. When the locked tendon releases, the finger jumps, as if you were releasing the trigger of a gun. This further irritates the tendon. It may set up a cycle of catching and swelling.

    Online Medical Reviewer: Rahul Banerjee MD
    Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Turley Jr PA-C
    Online Medical Reviewer: Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN
    Date Last Reviewed: 8/1/2023
    © 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
    horizontal line

    Southern New Mexico
    Surgery Center

    2301 Indian Wells Rd. Suite B
    Alamogordo, NM 88310
    www.snmsc.org

    Phone: 575.437.0890
    Fax: 575.437.0905
    Email: info@snmsc.org

    Disclaimer