Blog Post

You have to use your hands for so many things: eating, opening doors, getting dressed, and typing or using digital devices, to name just a few. When your finger just won't work as it should, it throws everything off balance and disrupts everyday tasks. 

If your finger catches, clicks, or frequently gets stuck in a bent position, you might be dealing with trigger finger. At Northeast Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, our renowned board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic specialists understand how frustrating this can be.

Trigger finger is tough because it doesn't go away naturally. That's where we come in to provide lasting solutions for trigger finger relief at our office locations in Schertz, Live Oak, and San Antonio, Texas.

With a patient-centered approach, we customize each treatment plan to match your needs. From trigger finger diagnosis to conservative care, injections, hand surgery, and physical therapy, we provide complete support all in one place.

Understanding trigger finger

Trigger finger happens when one of the flexor tendons you use to curl your fingers inward to the palm can't move properly and becomes stuck. Normally, the flexor tendons glide smoothly through a tendon sheath, but inflammation can thicken the tissue or cause nodules, disrupting movement and causing the affected finger to snap or lock when you bend or straighten it.

Trigger finger can affect anyone but is more common in women, people who frequently pinch or grip with their hands, and patients with diabetes.

Signs to seek treatment for trigger finger

Although trigger finger often starts as mild stiffness, it can progress to locking, pain, and even permanent loss of motion without treatment. Here are some signs that you need to get help before the problem worsens.

• A clicking sensation or noise when bending your finger
• Finger stiffness, especially in the morning
• Pain around the base of your thumb or finger
• Finger locking in a bent position
• A bump near the base of the finger

Early treatment often prevents symptoms from worsening.

Trigger finger treatments for lasting relief

At Northeast Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, we tailor your care based on how severe your trigger finger symptoms are and how they affect your day-to-day activities. Our team offers full-spectrum trigger finger care, but we always start with the least invasive options and progress only if necessary.

Here’s what treatment might look like:

• Rest: Reducing repetitive hand movements to ease tension
• Splinting: A night splint to reduce inflammation
• Anti-inflammatory medications: To ease pain and swelling
• Corticosteroid injections: To rapidly reduce inflammation

If nonsurgical measures don't work or your trigger finger recurs, our experienced surgeons may recommend a procedure called percutaneous release. In this minimally invasive surgery, your surgeon administers local anesthesia and uses a needle to break down the thickened tissue that's causing tendon movement problems.

This immediately relieves pressure and allows your tendon to glide smoothly without pain again. The needles used in the procedure are about the same size as those used for normal blood draws, so most patients tolerate it well.

The results of trigger finger release are excellent, with about 97% of patients enjoying full symptom relief. That's why percutaneous release is widely regarded as the gold standard for lasting relief.

After injections or percutaneous release, our team may recommend physical therapy to support healing. We provide all of your orthopaedic care in one place and guide your recovery from start to finish.

You don’t have to live with the pain and inconvenience of trigger finger. Our team at Northeast Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine offers personalized care to get your hands back in motion. Call the office nearest you or send your request online to schedule a consultation.