Skip to main content

Trigger Finger (Digital Stenosing Tenosynovitis)

Jill N. Tirabassi, MD MPH Reviewed 06/2021
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

A clicking, snapping, or locking of a finger/thumb with extension ± associated pain 

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Incidence

  • Adult population: 2-3% of adults (1)

    • Rare in children

  • 4 times increased risk i...

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation. 

HISTORY

Clicking, catching, snapping, or locking of a digit while attempting to extend; with or without associated pain; usual progression is pain...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Generally conservative treatment is recommended first line, which includes activity modification, NSAIDS, splinting ,or consideration of steroid injection

  • Activity modificatio...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Follow-up is needed only if symptoms persist or if complications develop after surgery.

  • Splinting of the affected digit to minimize flexion/extension of the MCP jo...

REFERENCES

1
Lundsford D, Valdes K, Hengy S. Conservative management of trigger finger: a systematic review. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2019;(32):212-221.
2
Akhtar  S, Bradley  MJ, Q...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Amirfeyz  R, McNinch  R, Watts  A, et al. Evidence-based management of adult trigger digits. J Hand Surg Eur Vol.  2017;42(5):473–480. [View Abstract...

CODES

ICD10

  • M65.30 Trigger finger, unspecified finger

  • M65.319 Trigger thumb, unspecified thumb

  • M65.329 Trigger finger, unspecified index finger

  • M65.339 Trigger finger, unspecified middle finger

  • M65.322 Tri...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Trigger finger is caused by narrowing of the A1 flexor tendon pulley.

  • Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation.

  • Initial conservative treatment can include NSAIDS, splinting, or cortic...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

 
×