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Serenity By A Dr. Sareen

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Trigger Finger: A Finger That Locks or Pops and the Care Options

A finger that snaps or sticks when you straighten it, usually worst in the morning, is a familiar complaint in a primary care office. Serenity By A Dr. Sareen sees patients with hand and joint problems at its Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach, and Belle Glade offices.

We accept Medicare & Medicaid

What it involves

MedlinePlus describes trigger finger as a finger or thumb that gets stuck in a bent position, as if you were squeezing a trigger, then pops straight out when it frees. It happens when the tendon cannot slide smoothly through its tunnel because the tunnel has swollen or the tendon has developed a bump.

Who this is for

  • Patients whose finger or thumb catches, clicks or locks when they bend and straighten it
  • Patients with a tender lump at the base of a finger on the palm side of the hand
  • People whose work or hobbies involve a lot of repeated gripping
  • Patients with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or gout who notice hand stiffness

What to expect

  • Questions about which finger, when it is worst and what your hands do at work and at home
  • A hand exam, since MedlinePlus says the diagnosis rests on history and a physical exam rather than x-rays or lab tests
  • A discussion of rest, splinting or buddy taping, heat and ice, and when an injection or surgery is considered
  • A referral to a hand specialist if the finger stays locked or care does not help

The tunnel and the tendon

Tendons connect muscle to bone, and when a muscle tightens it pulls on its tendon to move the bone. MedlinePlus explains that the tendons moving your fingers glide through a tunnel called the tendon sheath as you bend them. If the tunnel narrows from swelling, or the tendon develops a nodule, it catches on the way through, and the finger can stick when you try to straighten it. That mechanical picture explains why the problem tends to feel like a catch or a snap and not like a general ache.

What it feels like day to day

MedlinePlus lists the typical signs: a stiff finger, or one that locks in a bent position; a painful snapping or popping when you bend and straighten it; symptoms that are often worse in the morning; and a tender bump on the palm side of the hand at the base of the finger. You can have more than one trigger finger, including the thumb, and it can develop in both hands. In severe cases, MedlinePlus says, the finger cannot be straightened at all.

Who is more likely to get it

MedlinePlus says trigger finger can occur in both children and adults, but is more common in people between 50 and 70, in women, in people with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or gout, in people whose work or activities require repeated gripping, and during pregnancy. Having a risk factor does not guarantee the problem. If you have diabetes, a stiff finger is also a good moment to review your overall control, which the diabetes management page describes.

Care that does not involve surgery

In mild cases the goal, according to MedlinePlus, is to bring down the swelling in the tunnel. Self-care mainly means resting the tendon, and a provider may ask you to wear a splint or tape the finger to its neighbor, which is called buddy taping. Heat, ice and stretching may also help. MedlinePlus adds that a provider may give a cortisone shot into the tunnel to reduce swelling, may try a second shot if the first does not work, and will ask you to work on finger motion afterward so the tendon does not swell again.

When surgery is discussed

MedlinePlus says surgery may be needed if the finger is locked in a bent position or has not improved with other treatment. It describes a small cut in the skin just below the tunnel and a small cut in the tunnel itself, done under local anesthesia or a nerve block, often while the person is awake. After surgery the bandage stays on for 48 hours, stitches come out after about two weeks, and the finger can start moving right away. This is hand surgeon territory, and a primary care visit is where that referral begins.

Other hand problems it gets confused with

Hand pain, numbness and stiffness have several sources. If the main complaint is tingling in the thumb and first fingers, the carpal tunnel guide describes a different nerve problem. Pain along a tendon after repeated use can be an overuse injury, which the tendinitis guide explains. A provider sorts out which one you have by examining the hand and asking how the symptoms behave, which is why the exam comes before any treatment decision.

Can I be seen at Serenity By A Dr. Sareen for a finger that locks or catches?

Yes. A catching or locking finger is a normal reason for a primary care visit at the Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach, and Belle Glade offices. A provider can examine the hand, talk through splinting and other options, and refer you to a hand surgeon if needed. Same-day appointments and walk-ins are welcome, and staff can confirm your insurance.

Does Serenity By A Dr. Sareen accept Medicare and Medicaid for trigger finger evaluation?

Yes. Serenity By A Dr. Sareen accepts Medicare and Medicaid, along with major commercial insurance, at our South Florida locations. Call your nearest office and our staff will confirm your specific plan and any coverage details before scheduling your trigger finger evaluation visit.

What are your office hours?

We're open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with same-day appointments and walk-ins welcome at our Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach, and Belle Glade offices. Call ahead of your visit if you'd like to confirm availability before you come in to see us.

Who is trigger finger evaluation for?

Patients whose finger or thumb catches, clicks or locks when they bend and straighten it Our family and internal medicine team can talk through whether this fits your situation when you call to schedule a visit at one of our South Florida offices.

Do I need an x-ray for trigger finger?

Usually not. MedlinePlus says trigger finger is diagnosed from a medical history and physical exam, and that it usually does not require x-rays or lab tests. Your provider decides if anything further is needed.

What should I do if my finger is stuck and will not straighten?

Do not force it. MedlinePlus says that a finger locked in a bent position is one of the situations where surgery may be needed, so see a provider promptly. Call the office and tell the staff the finger is locked so you can be seen soon.

Sources

Available at all locations

Schedule a Visit

Contact your nearest Serenity By A Dr. Sareen office to schedule a visit about a finger that catches, locks or pops.