If your fingers get stuck in a bent position, you may have a condition called "trigger finger," also known medically as stenosing tenosynovitis.
Doctors treat trigger finger with watchful waiting, steroid injections, and sometimes, surgery.
Trigger finger happens when a tendon in your finger gets swollen and catches in a tight tunnel (called a pulley) that holds the tendon close to the bone. When the tendon catches, it causes your finger to get stuck in a bent position or to snap straight when you try to extend it. Sometimes, it can become so severe that you need to use your other hand to straighten the affected finger.
Trigger finger can affect any finger.
Doctors don't know the exact cause of trigger finger.
Trigger finger can make daily tasks challenging, such as buttoning clothes, using a computer, or gripping a steering wheel. While uncommon, if left untreated for a long time, your finger could stay permanently bent, making it harder to treat later.
Trigger finger is common, affecting about 3% of the population. Anyone can get it, but it's most often seen in people in their 40s and 50s.
Symptoms of trigger finger include:
If you suspect you have trigger finger and it's bothering you, contact a hand specialist or plastic surgeon. Trigger finger is generally easy to treat successfully.
If you suspect you are having a medical emergency, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency department immediately.
Doctors typically diagnose trigger finger with a physical exam. X-rays or other tests are usually not needed.
Your doctor will ask about your medical history and symptoms. They will examine your hand, checking for:
Your treatment depends on your preference.
Most cases of trigger finger are treated without surgery.
Watchful waiting – If your trigger finger isn't causing much trouble, you can simply wait to see if it improves on its own. While waiting, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers or wear a splint to keep your finger straight. However, splinting can sometimes lead to a stiff finger.
Steroid injections – A cortisone injection at the base of your finger can help get rid of trigger finger about half the time. Your finger might feel a bit worse for the first few days after the injection. It takes about two months to see if the injection worked. If you have diabetes, you'll need to monitor your blood sugar more closely on the day of the injection.
If you prefer not to wait or try injections, or if injections haven't worked, a minor surgery can be performed to cut the tunnel where the tendon gets stuck. This surgery can be done in an office, surgery center, or hospital. Most people receive a local anesthetic and remain awake.
After surgery, it's important to use your hand for everyday activities right away to prevent stiffness and help with recovery. The incision usually heals in about two weeks. During this time, you should use your hand as normally as possible while protecting the incision.
Injections are effective about two-thirds of the time. Surgery is effective almost all the time.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-11-13.
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