What is Trigger Finger and What Causes it?
Posted on Fri, Feb 19, 2010 @ 02:22 PM
What is a Trigger Finger
If you wake up with your finger stuck in a bent position or feel a pop when you try to straighten it, you may have a Trigger Finger. In an advanced case of Trigger Finger you may have to use your other hand to open the finger.
The tendons that bend your finger are called the flexor tendons and they travel through the palm and into the fingers. The tendons move through a covering called a "sheath" and they pass through a series of pulleys that hold the tendons close to the finger.
If there is swelling around the tendon or a nodule that has built up, the tendon can get stuck in the sheath or as it goes through the pulley. When that happens, the finger can get caught in a closed position and when your tendon pulls to straighten it, the swollen area pops as it is forced through the pulley.
How do you get a Trigger Finger?
Many Trigger Fingers are in response to overuse and people who grip tools for long periods or do other repetitive tasks are prone to developing trigger fingers. It's also not uncommon for trigger fingers to occur with no known cause.
Author: Julie Belkin