Trigger finger is a condition where a finger or thumb catches, clicks or locks in a bent position because the tendon cannot glide smoothly through its tunnel in the palm. It is often sore at the base of the finger and can be stiff in the morning. Splinting, a steroid injection or a minor operation can all help, depending on how severe it is.
Also known as trigger thumb, stenosing tenosynovitis, trigger digit
Symptoms
- A finger or thumb that clicks, catches or snaps when you bend or straighten it
- A finger that gets stuck bent and needs the other hand to straighten it
- Pain or a tender lump at the base of the finger in the palm
- Stiffness, often worse first thing in the morning
- Most often affects the ring finger, middle finger or thumb
Causes and risk factors
- Thickening of the tendon or the band (pulley) that holds it close to the bone
- Diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis, gout and an underactive thyroid
- Being over 40, and being female
- Having carpal tunnel syndrome
- Frequent strong gripping
What the evidence says helps
- A steroid injection around the tendon is more effective than a numbing injection alone at four weeks, based on small, older trials. This is given by a GP or specialist.1
- A clinical guideline review found moderate evidence that a single injection is a safe and effective short-term first treatment, but symptoms continue or return more often than after surgery.2
- A splint that stops one finger joint from bending for six to ten weeks reduced pain and triggering in several studies. One randomised trial found splinting alone worked about as well as an injection for pain and function over a year, so it is a reasonable first option for milder cases.35
- Surgery to release the pulley works in almost all cases. One trial found it was successful in 99 in 100 people at a year, compared with about half after an injection, although surgery carries a small risk of more serious complications.4
Things you can try at home
- Avoid forceful repeated gripping where you can, and use padded handles on tools
- Gently move the finger through its comfortable range several times a day
- Ask about a finger splint, especially for night-time locking
- Do not force a locked finger straight; ease it gently with the other hand
- If you have diabetes, keeping blood sugar well controlled supports overall tendon health
When to get urgent help
Contact your GP urgently, call NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency if you have:
- Go to A&E if a finger becomes red, hot and swollen along its length, is very painful to straighten, or you have a fever, as this can be a serious tendon sheath infection
- Go to A&E or an urgent treatment centre if symptoms follow a cut or puncture wound to the finger
- See a GP promptly if a finger is locked bent and cannot be straightened
- See a GP if several fingers are affected along with joint swelling or stiffness elsewhere
How Apollo can help
We can assess your hand, confirm whether the pattern fits trigger finger and explain your options. We offer advice on activity changes, gentle tendon gliding exercises and where to get a suitable finger splint. We do not give injections or perform hand surgery, so if your finger locks regularly or is not improving we will suggest you see your GP for an injection or a hand surgery referral. We can also support rehabilitation after a release operation.
No GP referral needed. Clinics in Sheringham, Coltishall and Norwich.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Will trigger finger go away by itself?
Mild trigger finger sometimes settles with rest from heavy gripping, but many cases persist. Splinting or an injection helps many people, and a minor operation is very effective if other treatments do not work.
Is a splint or an injection better for trigger finger?
For milder cases, one randomised trial found a finger splint worn for six weeks worked about as well as an injection over a year. Injections may work faster, but symptoms return in some people. Your GP or clinician can help you choose.
What does trigger finger surgery involve?
It is a short procedure, usually under local anaesthetic, to release the tight pulley at the base of the finger. Success rates are high. Most people can use the hand for light tasks soon afterwards, guided by their surgical team.
References
- Peters-Veluthamaningal C, van der Windt DA, Winters JC, Meyboom-de Jong B (2009). Corticosteroid injection for trigger finger in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. View source
- Amirfeyz R, et al. (2017). Evidence-based management of adult trigger digits. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). View source
- Atthakomol P, et al. (2023). Are there differences in pain reduction and functional improvement among splint alone, steroid alone, and combination for the treatment of adults with trigger finger? Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. View source
- Hansen RL, et al. (2017). Open surgery versus ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection for trigger finger: a randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up. Journal of Hand Surgery. View source
- Lunsford D, et al. (2017). Conservative management of trigger finger: a systematic review. Journal of Hand Therapy. View source
- Brozovich N, et al. (2019). A critical appraisal of adult trigger finger: pathophysiology, treatment, and future outlook. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. View source
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for medical advice. If you are worried about your symptoms, speak to your GP or a registered healthcare professional. Content prepared from the sources above, November 2026.
