Trigger Finger

Question 1

What would you find on examination of a patient with trigger finger

Answer 1

Flexion of one or more fingers - most commonly middle or ring fingers

May be a small nodule felt in the palm, overlying the flexor tendon sheath as it enters the digit (usually at the level of the proximal transverse palmar crease)

On gentle forced extension of the finger - characteristic snap as the distal finger passes the obstruction

Question 2

What is this

Answer 2

Trigger finger

Question 3

What is the cause of trigger finger

Answer 3

Cause by fibrosis and thickening of the flexor tendon sheath as the tendon enters the digit

May be:-

• Idiopathic
• Following trauma
• Congenital

Question 4

How is trigger finger treated

Answer 4

Non-surgical

• Steroid injection - if a nodule is present over the flexor tendon sheath

Surgical

• Tendon release - by incising the sheath