What is Trigger Finger?
Trigger finger is a common disorder of the hand which causes a painful snapping or locking of the fingers or thumb. The medical name for this condition is stenosing tenosynovitis. Stenosing refers to the narrowing of an opening or passageway in the body.
Tenosynovitis refers to inflammation of the outer covering of the tendons that bend and extend the fingers and thumb. The tendons are tough, fibrous cords that connect muscles of the forearm to the bones of the fingers and thumb. This muscle and tendon system enables one to bend the fingers inward when making a fist and extend them out straight.
The tendons glide through a protective covering called the tendon sheath. The sheath is like a tunnel and is lined with a thin membrane called synovium. The synovial lining helps reduce friction as the tendons glide through the tendon sheath. Areas of dense fibrous tissue called annular bands or pulleys are also part of the tendon sheath. These structures are attached to the bones of the fingers and thumb and hold the tendons close to the bones over which they pass.
Trigger finger is often caused by inflammation of the synovial sheath surrounding the tendons. It may also result from the enlargement of the tendon itself or the narrowing of the first annular band (Al pulley).
When inflamed, the normally thin covering of the sheath may be thickened to several times its normal size. This reduces the amount of space through which the tendons are able to pass. The tendon is no longer able to glide freely through the sheath, and the tendon itself may swell up in a balloon-like mass at the point where it tries to pass through the tunnel.
Upon forceful bending of the finger or thumb, the enlarged portion of the tendon is dragged through the constricted opening. This motion is often accompanied by a painful snap, and the finger or thumb may be locked in a bent position. Straightening the finger or thumb may require using the non-affected hand to actually pull the finger back into an extended position, causing another painful snap as the swollen portion of the tendon passes back through the sheath.
Causes
The exact cause of trigger finger or thumb is not always known. In many cases, however, this condition may be the result of the repeated strain of this area due to work or hobby activities. Tasks that require repetitive grasping or the prolonged use of tools (scissors, screwdrivers, etc.) which press firmly on the tendon sheath at the base of the finger or thumb may irritate the tendons and result in thickening of the tendons themselves or the tendon sheath.
Symptoms of trigger finger may also be associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes that produce changes in connective tissues and synovium.
Signs and Symptoms
Before the development of actual “triggering” (the painful snapping or locking of the finger or thumb), one of the first symptoms may be discomfort in the area of the palm directly beneath the affected finger or thumb. This area is the entrance of the tendon sheath or A1 pulley.
The painful snapping sensation during finger motion is the most common symptom. As the condition progresses, the finger or thumb may actually become locked in a bent position, or less often in an extended position. The problem is sometimes incorrectly thought to exist in the middle joint of the thumb. This joint may appear to jump or lock. The true problem, however, is found in the base of the finger or thumb. It is here that the smooth gliding of the tendon becomes obstructed.
How is Trigger Finger Treated?
Conservative (non-surgical) treatment is an appropriate first step unless the finger or thumb is in an unmovable, locked position. Initial treatment involves avoiding or modifying those activities that have caused the inflammation.
Josh Vella, MD may decide to restrict the movement of the joint by means of a splint. Oral anti-inflammatory medications are often used to reduce inflammation and discomfort. A cortisone injection may also be administered directly into the tendon sheath to reduce the soft tissue swelling. In cases that do not respond to conservative treatment, or if the finger or thumb remains in a locked position, surgery may be recommended.