What is trigger finger?

Finger catches : If the flexor tendons that bend a finger get caught while gliding through the a1 pulley in the palm, then you have a trigger finger or thumb. It can often be resolved by cortisone injection to the area but sometimes needs minor surgery through a half inch incision to release the a1 pulley.

Tendon inflamation: Stenosing tenosynovitis or trigger finger is the tendon in the palm side of the hand getting inflamed with progressive restriction of the tendons through a pulley in the hand. You can have just soreness or catching of the finger as you flex and extend it. At times it can become locked in one position. It is easily treatable by your hand specialist.

Pulley limitation: Trigger finger or thumb most commonly occurs when swelling or a nodule of the tendon which bends (flexes) the finger gets caught passing through a tight ligamentous pulley (tunnel) and the nodule hits the tunnel the finger gets caught and with forced bending eventually pops through. This is responsible for a trigger finger.