If one of your fingers seems to get stuck in a curled position or it is snapping as you move it, you may have trigger finger. Read on to learn more about this condition and how to treat it.

What Is Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger is the layman's term for a condition called "Stenosing tenosynovitis." In your hand, you have a series of pulleys that hold tendons close to the bone. Sometimes these tendons can become inflamed, so instead of gliding smoothly through the pulleys, they actually get caught. When you force the inflamed portion of the tendon through the pulley, your finger may pop, snap, or get stuck in a bent position.

What Causes Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger can sometimes be a side effect of health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and gout. If you use your hands at work a lot and are prone to repetitive strain injuries, you can also develop trigger finger. Trigger finger can also be caused by certain sports, especially sports where you are gripping a racquet.

Can It Get Better on Its Own?

Sometimes trigger finger can resolve itself. It's a good idea to rest the affected finger by wearing a splint. You can get a splint from a doctor's office, grocery store, or local pharmacy. Besides resting finger, spend about 15 minutes a day stretching out the finger so that you restore range of motion in your hand.

Who Do You See if Your Trigger Finger Gets Worse?

An orthopedist can treat functional issues with tendons and bones. If your trigger finger doesn't get better, then an orthopedist can give you a corticosteroid injection or perform surgery.

If you get an injection in your tendon sheath, the corticosteriord will relieve the swelling and your finger will return to normal.

Surgery for trigger fingers are actually fairly simple and can be done with local anesthesia in the hand. During the surgery, the doctor will break up any nodules or adhesions on the tendon so that it can slide more fluidly through the pulleys. He or she can also make a small incision around the sheath of the tendon so that there is more room for the tendon to glide if it's swollen.

After a couple of weeks, your doctor can remove the stitches from the surgery. Your finger may be sore, and you may need to wear a splint, but your finger should be back to normal within a couple of months. For more information, contact an orthopedic surgeon near you.