Trigger Finger Treatment

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Hand Surgeons are Experts at Treating Trigger Finger

Do I have Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger, or stenosing tenosynovitis, is a type of tendonitis in the fingers and the thumbs. It occurs when inflammation narrows the space within the sheath that surrounds the tendon in your finger and becomes too thick and the tendon cannot glide easily, causing the finger to catch or lock in a bent position.

Symptoms of Trigger Finger

Trigger finger can arise in people who do repetitive gripping actions, like playing the guitar, tennis or racquetball. This condition is also more common in women or anyone with diabetes. If you are experiencing the symptoms listed below, please contact a hand doctor at Hoag Orthopedic Institute to schedule an appointment.

• Pain and swelling in the base of the finger or thumb
• Locking and popping sensation when you move the finger or thumb
• A tender nodule at the base of the finger or thumb

Nonsurgical Trigger Finger Treatment

For mild cases of trigger finger, patients can undergo a guided ultrasound steroid injection to help fix the finger locked in flexion or extension. However, it is not advisable to have multiple injections as it may cause the tendon to rupture.

Surgical Trigger Finger Treatment

Prolonged trigger finger can cause an irreversible tendon tear; therefore, it is important to seek treatment immediately. If an injection did not fix your locked finger, or if your case is already moderate to severe, your hand surgeon may recommend you undergo trigger finger surgery to fix the finger or thumb locked in flexion or extension. This is a 15-minute procedure usually done under local anesthesia in your hand surgeon’s office with a success rate near 100%.

Find a Hand Surgeon

Be sure to schedule an appointment with one of our board certified, fellowship-trained hand surgeons soon to avoid irreversible tendon damage caused by trigger finger or trigger thumb. Hoag Orthopedic Institute is ranked as one of the top Orthopedic Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report in 2020-2021.

Find a hand surgeon that treats Trigger Finger. Call us at (949) 705-6493 to make an appointment.