Description

The flexor tendon can become irritated as it slides through the tendon sheath tunnel. As it becomes more and more irritated, the tendon may thicken and nodules may form, making its passage through the tunnel more difficult.

The tendon sheath may also thicken, causing the opening of the tunnel to become smaller.

If you have trigger finger, the tendon becomes momentarily stuck at the mouth of the tendon sheath tunnel when you try to straighten your finger. You might feel a pop as the tendon slips through the tight area and your finger will suddenly shoot straight out.

The thickened nodule on the flexor tendon strikes the sheath tunnel, making it difficult to straighten the finger.Reproduced and adapted from Griffin LY (ed): Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care. 3rd Ed. Rosemont, IL. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2005Top of pageCause

The cause of trigger finger is usually unknown. There are factors that put people at greater risk for developing it.

• Trigger fingers are more common in women than men.
• They occur most frequently in people who are between the ages of 40 and 60 years of age.
• Trigger fingers are more common in people with certain medical problems, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Trigger fingers may occur after activities that strain the hand.