Trigger finger is a condition where your finger jams or gets stiff, or straightens with a painful snap. It can also affect your thumb.
How does trigger finger happen?
The tendons that bend your fingers usually glide freely through tight tunnels made by flexor tendon pulleys attached to bones in your hand. If the fiberous wall of the tunnel thickens, the tunnel becomes too tight, usually resulting in your finger jamming in a bent position. Over time the tendon becomes inflamed and a lump (nodule) can form.
Trigger finger is more common in women and in people with medical conditions rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or thyroid disease. However, for most people there is no particular cause.
What are the benefits to surgery and are there any alternatives?
The aim of surgery is to allow your finger to move freely.
Stretching in the early stages can ease the symptoms and non-steroidal tablets such as ibuprofen may also help. A steroid injection around the base of your finger can treat the problem in up to 6-10 people. However, you may need more than one injection. If one or two injections fail, surgery may be considered.