Trigger finger is a painful and limiting hand condition that makes it difficult to uncurl the affected finger. Fortunately, early treatments can be highly successful and often lead to permanent results. Even with surgery, outcomes are good for most people with trigger finger. You can learn more about how our hand & wrist specialists treat trigger fingers in this video featuring Dr. Dale Rader.
I’m Dale Rader. I’m a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon at EmergeOrtho. Today, we’re going to talk about various abnormalities in orthopedics.
A trigger finger is when your tendon catches or locks. Your tendons actually run in a sheath
and are made to glide back and forth in the sheath. Sometimes the sheath becomes very thickened, and it grabs the tendon. The tendon either catches or locks, and you have to forcibly move your finger to get it unstuck.
Symptoms of trigger finger include catching, locking, or pain in the finger and stiffness, especially in the morning since you have not moved your fingers all night. Often, patients’ fingers are stuck down. They have to move it forcefully to dislodge it. Typically, pain, catching, and locking are the main symptoms of trigger finger.
Like most treatments in orthopedics, conservative management is going to be your first
line of treatment. We are orthopedic surgeons, but we try to get things better however we can.
Typically, that starts without surgery. For trigger finger, in particular, conservative treatments can include splinting, occupational therapy, and sometimes corticosteroid injections.
A truly stuck trigger finger brings most patients in to see us. Patients who wake up with their finger stuck in a bent position can run it under warm water and gradually bend it out and straighten it to loosen it up. Often, these patients will come in, and we will administer an injection to dislodge it.
Sometimes, if caught early on, trigger finger can improve on its own. The earlier we treat it, the better the results are going to be long-term. Often, we give patients a steroid injection. If it is caught very early, that is all they will need. The injection may last for years, and the trigger finger may never return. Trigger fingers that have been stuck for an extended period of time, where the sheath has become more and more thickened, typically will not respond to conservative treatments.
Hand therapy can help trigger finger. We often will recommend patients for therapy, where they will be shown different stretching exercises. Therapists may also recommend splints that can be worn at night and throughout the day.
Sometimes, the conservative treatments for trigger finger are not effective or may only provide temporary relief. Some patients will get several months of relief from the therapy and injections, but often the pain comes back. That is when we consider surgery.
Trigger finger surgery is minimally invasive, involving a very small incision in the
palm of the hand. Surgery takes 10 minutes or less, and recovery time is 3–4 weeks. In short, the procedure has a quick recovery, a very short surgery time, and very low morbidity in terms of surgical complications. Patients respond very well to the surgical intervention.
Typically, trigger surgery is a permanent fix. Patients can have recurrent trigger fingers, but it is pretty rare. They may develop trigger finger in other fingers that have not had surgery.
As with any orthopedic condition, the sooner you see a specialist, the easier it is to treat. We would recommend coming in sooner rather than later. The earlier you are treated, the more likely it is that we can resolve the symptoms completely. Injections are particularly effective if the symptoms are early on. Trigger finger responds really well to an injection, so much so that you may not need any other treatments.
In our new facility, we provide orthopedic urgent care, allowing you to walk in at any time. There is no waiting. If you walk in the door during opening hours, you will be seen. That is a service that is new to the Statesville market and adds a whole new avenue for patients to receive care when they need it.
What Is Trigger Finger?
Trigger finger is a locking, catching, or freezing of a finger due to thickening or swelling in the tendons or tendon sheath. If you have this condition, your finger becomes difficult to move and may get stuck in a flexed or curled position.
Flexor tendons connect forearm muscles to the bones of the fingers and thumbs. When the muscles contract, the tendons pull on and bend the fingers. The flexor tendons pass through tendon sheaths, which are also attached to the finger and thumb bones.
In trigger finger, parts of the sheath, and sometimes the tendon itself, become inflamed and thickened. A nodule may develop, as well. These conditions make it more difficult for the tendon to glide through the sheath during muscle contractions, leading to trigger finger and its symptoms.
Primary trigger finger symptoms include catching, locking, and pain in the finger during movements. Patients have stiffness in the fingers, especially in the morning. According to Dr. Rader, “Oftentimes, patients’ fingers are stuck down. They have to forcibly move it in order to get it unstuck.”
What Causes Trigger Finger?
Swelling and thickening are the underlying causes of trigger finger, but there may not be a primary cause for these. Several risk factors are associated with the tissue changes that cause trigger finger:
- Being between the ages of 40 and 60, and female
- Repetitive motions of the fingers and thumbs, such as in tasks like gardening or using tools
- Using forceful finger and hand motions
- Having osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
- Having diabetes or gout
Can Trigger Finger Go Away Without Treatment?
In some mild cases, trigger finger can improve on its own without formal medical treatment. Resting the hand, avoiding repetitive gripping motions, and reducing inflammation early may allow the tendon to move more freely again.
Some patients notice symptoms gradually improve over several months, especially if the condition is caught early before significant thickening of the tendon sheath develops. This is uncommon, though, and most people need treatment. Fortunately, this does not necessarily mean surgery.
Trigger Finger Treatment Options
Treatment choices range from conservative therapies to minimally invasive trigger finger surgery.
| Treatment | Best For | Recovery |
| Splinting | Mild symptoms | Days-weeks |
| Steroid Injection | Moderate symptoms | Days-weeks |
| Hand Therapy | Mild-moderate symptoms | Weeks |
| Surgery | Severe/locked finger | 2-6 weeks |
How Do You Fix a Trigger Finger Without Surgery? Conservative Care
Conservative treatments are the first choice for most patients with trigger finger. Even surgeons promote these treatments first before resorting to surgery:
- Splinting, especially at night, can help reduce swelling in the fingers that worsens trigger finger.
- Corticosteroid injections are most effective early in treatment, reducing swelling in the sheath and tendons.
- Hand therapy is a specialized therapy that helps patients improve mobility and reduce pain with specific exercises and stretches.
According to Dr. Rader, he often sees patients when they cannot “unstick” their trigger finger.
Typically, patients are “able to run it under warm water, gradually bending it and straightening it out to loosen it up.” When that does not work, Dr. Rader says that he can provide an injection to get the finger mobile again.
How To Treat Trigger Finger: The Surgical Option
Trigger finger can resolve on its own or with these conservative measures if addressed early enough. For some patients, the tissue thickening has been going on for a while and has progressed to the point that it does not respond to conservative treatments.
Fortunately, trigger finger surgery is minimally invasive. It requires only a small incision in the palm and takes just about 10 minutes to complete.
During trigger finger surgery, also called trigger finger release, a surgeon makes a small incision near the base of the affected finger or thumb to access the tight portion of the tendon sheath that is preventing smooth tendon movement.
The surgeon carefully releases this constricted area so the tendon can glide freely again without catching or locking. The procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia and usually takes only a few minutes to complete.
Patients respond very well to trigger finger procedures, and it is often a permanent fix. Recurrence is rare, but some patients might develop the condition in other fingers.
What Is the Best Treatment for Trigger Finger?
There is no single best treatment for trigger finger. The best option for any patient depends on symptoms and severity, the patient’s lifestyle, and preferences. Most specialists will begin with the most conservative care and consider surgery when these are not effective.
For many patients, corticosteroid injections are considered the most effective first-line treatment because they can reduce inflammation and eliminate symptoms without surgery.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Trigger Finger?
Recovery from trigger finger depends on the severity of the condition and the type of treatment used. Patients who receive nonsurgical treatment may notice improvement within a few days to several weeks. Symptoms may continue improving gradually over several months.
Recovery after trigger finger surgery is typically faster and more predictable. Most patients can move their finger immediately after the procedure and return to light daily activities within a few days.
Soreness and swelling are common during the first few weeks, but significant improvement usually occurs within two to six weeks. Full healing and recovery of grip strength may take several months, depending on the individual and how long symptoms were present before surgery.
“The sooner you see someone about these problems, the easier it is to treat. The earlier they’re treated, the more likely it is to resolve the symptoms completely.” — Dr. Dale Rader
When Is It Time To See a Specialist for Trigger Finger?
The sooner you see a trigger finger specialist, the easier it will be to treat. Earlier treatment provides better outcomes, including an increased chance of totally resolving symptoms. Your next step in resolving uncomfortable and limiting trigger finger is to see an EmergeOrtho hand & wrist specialist.
Early specialist care can also help you avoid surgery. According to Dr. Rader, “if symptoms are very early on, they respond really well to the injection to the point where you might not need anything else.”
| Trigger Finger Severity | Common Symptoms | Treatment Options | Recovery Time |
| Mild | Occasional stiffness, clicking, mild discomfort, finger still moves | Rest, activity modification, splinting, anti-inflammatory medication, hand therapy | Several days to a few weeks to improve symptoms |
| Moderate | Frequent catching and locking, pain when gripping, reduced finger movement | Steroid injections, splinting, hand therapy, minimally invasive procedures | Weeks to a few months |
| Severe | Finger locked in bent position, significant pain or stiffness, difficulty using the hand | Trigger finger release surgery | Relief within days, fuller recovery within two to six weeks |
FAQ
Can Trigger Finger Go Away on Its Own?
Trigger finger rarely goes away without treatment. Most patients see a specialist to find relief from the discomfort.
Can Trigger Finger Be Treated Without Surgery?
Yes, trigger finger can be treated and often resolved with conservative care, including splinting, hand therapy, and steroid injections.
What Is the Recovery Time for Trigger Finger Surgery?
Recovery can take weeks to months for patients undergoing nonsurgical care. For surgical patients, full recovery can be several weeks, but relief is usually immediate.
Can Trigger Finger Come Back After Treatment?
Recurrence after trigger finger surgery is uncommon, though some patients may develop trigger finger in a different finger later. Symptoms may occasionally return after nonsurgical treatment, especially if underlying risk factors remain.
There is no wrong time to see a specialist for your trigger finger. Make an appointment to see our hand & wrist experts at EmergeOrtho-Foothills Region for an evaluation.
