Inflammation in the Tendons of the Hand

Trigger finger occurs when you bend one of your fingers, and it gets locked or stuck in that position. If you are able to straighten the finger, you may hear a popping sensation which is not often not audible.

Trigger finger is caused by inflammation in the tendons in your hands. Performing repetitive, gripping motions with your fingers can increase your risk of this type of inflammation. You may have one or more fingers affected at the same time. An underlying cause if often not identified.

Symptoms, Diagnosis and Outlook

Symptoms of trigger finger include:

• Fingers getting stuck in a bent or straight position
• Numbness
• Pain
• Popping, clicking or snapping sounds or sensations when you move your finger
• Stiffness
• Tenderness

To diagnose trigger finger, your doctor will begin with a medical history, physical exam and questions about your symptoms. You usually do not need additional tests.

Treatment for trigger finger may include:

• Injections
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Rest
• Splints
• Stretching exercises for the hands
• Surgery

Avoiding activities that require repetitive hand motions can help. Sometimes rest and nonsurgical treatments can be enough to treat trigger finger. You may need surgery if you are unable to straighten the finger.

Why Choose Penn State Health for Care

Top-Ranked by U.S. News & World Report

Penn State Health includes the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, ranked as one of the best orthopedic providers in the country by U.S. News & World Report. This honor was earned because our doctors consistently deliver exceptional patient care and outcomes through their commitment to advanced treatments, translational research and provider training.

Coordinated, Specialized Care Through a Dedicated Institute

Our orthopaedic specialists work together through our dedicated Penn State Bone and Joint Institute. There, they focus on providing you with multidisciplinary, tailored care and state-of-the-art treatments and technologies. This produces the highest-quality patient outcomes. All physicians at the institute are fellowship-trained and subspecialize in additional niche areas of orthopaedics, including arthritis care and joint arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery).

Designated as a Blue Distinction® Center

Penn State Bone and Joint Institute is a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. This superior designation from BlueCross BlueShield is only given to health care facilities and providers that stand out for their expertise in delivering specialty knee and hip replacement care. Our surgeons specialize in a range of pain-relieving procedures, including partial knee replacement, total joint arthroplasty, joint preservation surgery and complex revision surgery. They perform more than 1,000 joint replacement procedures every year.

Confidence in Treatment Through Education

We developed a special joint replacement education website just for patients undergoing joint arthroplasty. The website takes you step by step through the joint replacement process. From things to consider before choosing surgery to recovery after surgery, you’ll find the information you need to help you feel confident in your decision to undergo joint replacement.

Advancing Orthopaedic Medicine Through Research

The doctors and researchers in our Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center are committed to advancing our field through scientific discovery and education. As the only academic medical center in central Pennsylvania, Hershey Medical Center is a national leader in research, in partnership with Penn State College of Medicine, and on the leading edge of new treatment options, including clinical trials.