Orthopedic surgeons at Salem Health often see patients with locking and catching symptoms in their fingers. One of the most common causes is trigger finger.

Early on, this could feel like a general soreness in the palm, with pressure just below the impacted finger or fingers. The finger could also be stiff, especially in the morning.

“When more advanced, patients will experience painful clicking when bending or extending the fingers,” said Salem Health Hand Surgeon Jeffrey Knight. “In the most severe cases, the finger will even lock in a flexed position and require pulling it straight with the other hand.”

Who is diagnosed with trigger finger

Knight said anyone can receive a trigger finger diagnosis, but the condition is more common in women, people over the age of 40 and those with diabetes or thyroid conditions.

“Usually, patients cannot identify a particular injury or activity that caused trigger finger,” Knight said. “It happens when the tendons that bend the fingers get inflamed for some reason, causing a thick spot or nodule in the tendon. If you consider the tendon like a rope going through a pulley, the swollen or thickened area is like having a knot in the rope.” 

Cortisone shots to surgery for treatment

The orthopedic surgeon said anti-inflammatory medications can sometimes be used, along with rest, to reverse early symptoms. Other treatment options include a splint, cortisone shots or surgery if symptoms persist.

“Steroid shots for trigger finger can actually cure the condition 60 to 70% of the time without ever needing surgery. The steroid is a strong anti-inflammatory and shrinks the knot in the tendon so that it stops catching,” Knight said.

Surgery requires cutting the pulley in the palm where the tendon catches. This can be performed in the office with local anesthesia, and recovery involves a week or two of a bandage before returning to normal activity in about a month.

Hand surgery at Salem Health

Are you feeling symptoms of trigger finger? Salem Health Orthopedics has the largest group of surgeons in the mid-Willamette Valley specifically trained in treatment of hand and wrist conditions — and, with two new Physician Associates, there are often appointment openings the same day.  

Click here to learn more about care with Salem Health Orthopedics.