It occurs because the flexor tendons at the base of your finger enter a series of pulleys or tunnels, and the swollen tendon can get caught on the edge of the tunnel as you bend and straighten your finger. Trigger finger can occur after a period of overuse, but can also have an insidious onset without a history of overuse injury of the hands. Sometimes if the tendon is too swollen, it can cause the finger to get stuck and be very painful when you try and straighten it. It’s caused by swelling in the flexor tendons, which bend your fingers into your palm. Trigger finger or stenosing tenosynovitis is a common condition seen by hand surgeons. Healy the most is helping people and getting them back to what they love.

Whether he is piecing together a fractured arm after an accident, seeing patients in clinic, or performing routine hand surgeries, every day is dynamic and immensely satisfying. He enjoys the new and interesting challenges each day presents. Healy is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, specializing in shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, and trauma and fracture care. Christopher Healy in this short video covering the anatomy of the finger, the causes of this painful condition, and possible treatment options. When the tendon is lengthening, it becomes momentarily stuck then quickly pops out into extension. Trigger finger occurs when the flexor tendon becomes irritated and begins to thicken, eventually creating nodules making it difficult for the joint to bend and straighten.

Trigger finger, or “stenosing tenosynovitis” can often occur without experiencing a single injury.

Fingers lock up