Trigger finger
When a finger starts to click or gets stuck as you move it, everyday tasks can become uncomfortable and frustrating. This is known as trigger finger.
What is trigger finger?
Sturdy cords called tendons help you bend your fingers. Each one moves through a protective tunnel in your hand called a tendon sheath. With trigger finger, the tendon or its tunnel becomes thicker, making it harder for the tendon to move freely. A small lump can also develop on the tendon. As you bend or straighten your finger, this thicker area can catch at the tunnel entrance. That’s what causes the familiar clicking or locking feeling. Any finger can be affected – the same condition is known as trigger thumb when it develops in your thumb.
What causes trigger finger?
It’s not always clear why trigger finger develops. Activities that involve frequent or forceful gripping may irritate the tendon over time.
Trigger finger is more common in women and people over 40. Having diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis can also increase your chances of developing it.
It can sometimes occur alongside Dupuytren’s contracture, although the two conditions affect different parts of the hand.
What are the symptoms of trigger finger?
You may notice a click or pop when you bend and straighten the affected finger. It can feel stiff after rest, particularly first thing in the morning, but it loosens as you begin to use your hand.
Other symptoms can include:
- Pain at the base of the finger
- A tender lump in your palm
- Needing your other hand to straighten the finger
- The joint becoming stuck in a bent position
Symptoms can be mild at first and gradually become more noticeable. More than one finger can be affected, and the condition may develop in both hands.
How is trigger finger diagnosed?
Trigger finger can usually be diagnosed during an examination, so you’re unlikely to need an X-ray or another type of scan.
Your specialist will ask when the catching happens and what it’s stopping you from doing comfortably. They’ll gently check your palm for a tender area or small lump, then watch how the finger moves.
How is trigger finger treated?
The correct treatment will depend on how often your finger catches and its effect on your day-to-day life. A finger that clicks occasionally may need a different approach from one that remains locked.
Mild symptoms can sometimes settle on their own. If the problem continues, a splint or steroid injection may help. Surgery is usually considered only if these simpler options haven’t helped enough.
Treatment routes for trigger finger
We’ll usually begin with the simplest suitable option. Your specialist will explain what each treatment involves and help you decide what feels right for you.
Reducing activities that trigger your symptoms may allow the irritation to ease. A splint can also hold the affected finger straight, often overnight, giving it time to rest.
Medicine that reduces pain and swelling may make your hand more comfortable if it’s safe for you to take.
If symptoms continue, your specialist may recommend a steroid injection around the tendon to relieve the irritation and create more space for it to move. Improvement may begin within a few days, although it can take several weeks.
What to expect after treatment
After a steroid injection
Your specialist may advise you to use your hand gently for a short time after the injection. The catching can improve within days, but some people won’t feel the full benefit for a few weeks.
After surgery
You’ll usually be encouraged to move your fingers soon after the procedure to reduce stiffness. Keeping your hand raised can help with early swelling, while the small wound in your palm should heal over the following weeks. The palm may remain tender for a while, particularly when gripping. If stiffness continues, hand therapy from a physiotherapist can help you move your finger more comfortably.
Working with Hand and Wrist professionals and teams
Our hand and wrist specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their hands and wrists. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Hand and Wrist treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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