Trigger finger
Overview
Trigger finger is where your finger or thumb gets stuck in in a bent position. It can get better on its own, but sometimes may need treatment.
Symptoms
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 handstiffness in the affected finger or thumbneeding 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.
Causes
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 40you havediabetesyou haverheumatoid arthritis
Treatment
If you have trigger finger, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP. To find out if there are any self-referral services in your area: ask the receptionist staff at your GP surgerycheck your GP surgery's websitecontact your local integrated care board (ICB) –find your local ICBsearch online for NHS treatment for trigger finger near you 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 asnon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)to help with painsplinting, which is where the affected finger is strapped to a plastic splint to keep it straight and reduce movementsteroid injectionsinto your finger or thumb to reduce swelling and painsurgery to help your finger or thumb move properly (this is only done if other treatments have not worked)