Trigger Finger

Written by Dr. Jason Ngan, DC

What is Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger is an overuse injury that causes a finger to be stuck in the bent position. This condition can occur to any finger but it is most common in the thumb and ring finger.

What Causes Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger is caused by irritation to the synovial sheath in the finger. This sheath is a tissue layer that allows the tendons to glide. When the tendon or sheath gets irritated, it can become swollen and inflamed. This causes thickening and scarring of the tissue and disrupts finger movement. As the finger becomes more and more swollen, the finger will get stuck in the bent position.

  • Repetitive motion (gripping, pulling gun trigger)

  • Trauma

  • Common in patients with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

  • Pain at the finger

  • Stiffness (particularly morning stiffness)

  • Lump at the tendons

  • Finger in bent position

How is Trigger Finger Diagnosed?

Trigger finger is diagnosed with a thorough medical history, physical examination, and orthopedic testing.

  • Local pain at the finger

  • Decreased range of motion

What are the Treatment Options?

Trigger finger can be treated with rest. There are some therapies that can speed up the recovery process. Some options we provide are:

  • Chiropractic manipulation and mobilization

  • Splinting

  • Soft tissue therapies

  • Gua-sha

  • Ultrasound

  • Ergonomic/postural counseling

  • Rehabilitative exercises

Other treatments that patients may seek (not provided at Ngan Chiropractic) include steroid injection, and surgery if severe.

References

  1. Bionka M.A. Huisstede, Peter Hoogvliet, J. Henk Coert, Jan Fridén, for the European HANDGUIDE Group, Multidisciplinary Consensus Guideline for Managing Trigger Finger: Results From the European HANDGUIDE Study, Physical Therapy, Volume 94, Issue 10, 1 October 2014, Pages 1421–1433, https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20130135

  2. Brozovich, Nikolas MD; Agrawal, Devandra PhD, MBA; Reddy, Gangadasu MD, MS, FACS. A Critical Appraisal of Adult Trigger Finger: Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Future Outlook. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open 7(8):p e2360, August 2019. | DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000002360

  3. Henton J, Jain A, Medhurst C, Hettiaratchy S. Adult trigger finger BMJ 2012; 345 :e5743 doi:10.1136/bmj.e5743

  4. Howitt S, Wong J, Zabukovec S. The conservative treatment of Trigger thumb using Graston Techniques and Active Release Techniques. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2006 Dec;50(4):249-54. PMID: 17549185; PMCID: PMC1864591.

  5. Jeanmonod R, Harberger S, Waseem M. Trigger Finger. [Updated 2022 Aug 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459310/

  6. Makkouk AH, Oetgen ME, Swigart CR, Dodds SD. Trigger finger: etiology, evaluation, and treatment. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2008 Jun;1(2):92-6. doi: 10.1007/s12178-007-9012-1. PMID: 19468879; PMCID: PMC2684207.

  7. Matthews, Amber PA-C, MPAM; Smith, Kristen PA-C, MPAM; Read, Laura PA-C; Nicholas, Joyce PhD; Schmidt, Eric PhD. Trigger finger: An overview of the treatment options. Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants 32(1):p 17-21, January 2019. | DOI: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000550281.42592.97