Trigger finger

The main symptom of trigger finger is your finger or thumb getting stuck in a bent position, and feeling a clicking or popping when the finger or thumb straightens.

Other symptoms may include:

• pain in your finger, thumb, or the palm of your hand
• stiffness in the affected finger or thumb
• needing to put pressure on the affected finger or thumb to straighten it from a bent position

Your symptoms may be worse in the morning and when doing activities using your hands, such as preparing food, using tools, or playing sport.

It’s not always known what causes trigger finger, but sometimes it may be caused by an injury.

It happens when a tendon (which connects your muscles to your bones) inside your finger or thumb becomes thickened. This can stop the tendon from moving normally, and can cause it to get trapped when you bend your fingers.

You may be more likely to get it if:

• you’re aged over 40
• you have diabetes
• you have rheumatoid arthritis

Trigger finger can sometimes get better on its own without any treatment.

You can try to:

• avoid or reduce activities that make your symptoms worse, until your symptoms improve
• take painkillers such as ibuprofen to help with pain

• you think you have trigger finger and your symptoms do not get better
• your symptoms stop you doing your usual daily activities

Refer yourself for back or joint help

In many areas you may be able to get help, such as physiotherapy, from NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services without needing a referral from a GP.

Get NHS help for back or joint problems

If your trigger finger symptoms do not go away, you may need treatment from a GP or specialist.

Depending on your symptoms, treatment may include:

• medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help with pain
• splinting, which is where the affected finger is strapped to a plastic splint to keep it straight and reduce movement
• steroid injections into your finger or thumb to reduce swelling and pain
• surgery to help your finger or thumb move properly (this is only done if other treatments have not worked)

Trigger finger symptoms include pain, stiffness or clicking when you move your finger or thumb. Your finger or thumb may get stuck in a bent position.

Trigger finger is caused by the thickening of a tendon in your finger or thumb. It’s not always known why it happens, but it can be due to an injury.

Things that can help with trigger finger symptoms include avoiding activities that make it worse and taking painkillers.

If trigger finger does not go away, treatments may include medicines, wearing a splint, steroid injections, or surgery.