Trigger finger can cause pain and may limit movement of the thumb and fingers. Gentle stretching exercises, such as the fingertip bend, and other self-care techniques, like massage, can help relieve these symptoms.
Trigger finger is a condition characterized by swelling in or around the tendons inside the hand. Tendons are bands of fibrous connective tissue that connect muscle to bone. They allow muscles to pull on bones, enabling movement.
This article describes the symptoms of trigger finger and outlines 12 exercises a person can do to ease the symptoms. We also provide information on when to see a doctor.
The hands contain flexor tendons, which connect the forearm muscles to the bones of the thumb and fingers. The flexor tendons pass through a structure called the tendon sheath, which extends from the wrist to the digits.
Inside the tendon sheath are special “pulleys” that hold the tendons close to the thumb bone and finger bones. As the muscles of the forearm contract, the tendons glide through the pulleys, allowing the thumb or fingers to bend.
In trigger finger, either the tendon or its pulley becomes inflamed, meaning the tendon is unable to pass easily through the pulley. Instead, the tendon may catch on the tendon sheath, causing the affected thumb or finger to lock in position.
Doctors sometimes refer to trigger finger as stenosing tenosynovitis.
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), scientists do not yet know the exact cause of trigger finger. However, forceful use of the thumb or fingers may increase a person’s risk of developing the condition.
Trigger finger is also more common among people who have the following health conditions:
Trigger finger typically causes discomfort at the point where a finger or thumb meets the palm. Other symptoms can include:
- sensitivity to pressure
- pain
- a popping sensation
- a catching feeling
- limited movement in the affected finger or thumb
The symptoms of trigger finger may be worse when a person first wakes up in the morning.
Doctors and physical therapists may recommend simple stretching exercises to help alleviate the pain and stiffness associated with trigger finger or trigger thumb. We outline some examples below.
Do these exercises three to five times each day, to begin with, building up to hourly.
1. Fingertip bend
To perform the fingertip bend exercise, hold the finger just below the top joint. Then bend the tip of the finger while keeping the rest of the finger still.
2. Tip and middle joint bend
Below are some steps for performing the tip and middle joint bend exercise.
- Hold the finger just above the knuckle at the base of the hand.
- Bend the tip and middle joints of the finger while keeping the rest of the finger still.
- Unbend the finger back to the starting position.
3) Passive wrist stretch
Below are some steps for performing the passive wrist stretch.
- Place the palms together in front of the chest, just below the chin.
- Slowly lower the hands to the waistline, until feeling a stretch in the wrists and fingers.
- Hold the position for 10 seconds.
- Keeping the palms together, move the hands back up to the starting position.
4. Clenched wrist bend
Below are some instructions for performing the clenched wrist bend exercise.
- Loosely clench the fist, and place it on a table with the thumb facing upward.
- Bend the wrist and fingers towards the body.
- Hold the stretch for 2 seconds.
- Return the wrist to its starting position.
- Repeat 10 times on each side.
5. Side to side wrist bend
Below are some steps for performing the side to side wrist bend exercise.
- Place the hand palm down on a table, with the wrist straight.
- Bend the wrist as far as possible to the left.
- Hold for 2 seconds.
- Move the wrist back to the center.
- Bend the wrist as far as possible to the right.
- Hold for 2 seconds.
- Move the wrist back to the center.
- Repeat 10 times on each side.
6. Hand turn
Below are some steps for performing the hand turn exercise.
- Place the hand on the table, with the palm facing downwards.
- Slowly turn the palm upward, as far as is comfortable.
- Hold for 2 seconds.
- Turn the hand back over so that the palm is facing downward.
- Repeat the exercise 10 times.
7. Hand clench
Below are some instructions for performing the hand clench exercise.
- Rest the outer side of the hand on a table, with the thumb facing upward. Keep the wrist straight.
- Clench the hand into a loose fist.
- Hold for 2 seconds.
- Unclench the fist, and straighten the fingers.
- Clench and unclench 10 times.
8. Finger curl
When performing the finger curl exercise, a person may find it easier to rest their elbow on a table. They should then follow the steps below.
- Begin with the palm facing toward the body.
- Clench the hand into a loose fist.
- Slowly uncurl the thumb and fingers until they are all fully extended.
- Hold for 2 seconds.
- Curl the fingers and thumb back into a loose fist.
- Curl and uncurl the thumb and fingers 10 times.
9. The bent finger
The bent finger exercise can help strengthen the tendon in the thumb. To perform this exercise, follow the steps below.
- Bend the thumb inward toward the palm until it touches the tip of the index finger.
- Hold for 10 seconds.
- Repeat the exercise on the middle, ring, and little finger.
People should repeat the exercise three to four times per day.
10. The ball squeeze
The ball squeeze exercise can help alleviate tendonitis of the thumb.
To perform the exercise, hold a small ball in the palm and gently apply pressure to the ball with the fingertips. A person can strengthen the thumb muscle further by applying extra force.
People should perform the exercise three to four times per day.
11. Resistance
Resistance exercises can help alleviate thumb tendonitis while strengthening the fingers. Below are some instructions on how to perform resistance exercises.
- Draw the thumb and fingers toward the center of the hand until the tips of the digits touch.
- Place one or more rubber bands around the fingers and thumb.
- Gently push the thumb and fingers outwards as though opening the palm.
- Repeat the exercise 10 times.
People should perform the exercise around five times per day. Adding more rubber bands will provide extra resistance.
12. The extensor
Extensor exercises can help ease symptoms of trigger thumb. Below are some instructions for performing the exercise.
- Place the hand on a table or other flat surface, with the palm facing downward.
- Gently lift the thumb as far as it will go without causing pain, then lower the thumb back to the table.
- Repeat the exercise on all the fingers, one by one.
- Repeat 10 times on each finger.
A person should perform this exercise three to four times per day.
According to the AAOS, gentle stretching and strengthening exercises can help ease some of the stiffness associated with trigger finger. They can also improve the range of motion in the thumb and fingers.
The AAOS also provide the following advice for helping alleviate trigger finger:
- resting the finger and thumb by avoiding any activities that worsen symptoms of trigger finger
- wearing a splint at night to keep the affected digit in a straight position during sleep
- taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to ease pain and inflammation
Some people may find that massaging the finger or thumb helps reduce the symptoms of trigger finger.
Avoid applying too much pressure when massaging the affected digits, as this could cause more pain.
In many cases, trigger finger will get better with rest, splinting, and OTC pain medications.
However, people should see a doctor if the pain is severe or the symptoms do not go away following treatment.
In some cases, a doctor may recommend steroid injections to reduce swelling and inflammation in and around the affected tendon. A steroid injection may alleviate the problem within one day to several weeks.
If steroid injections do not work, a doctor may recommend surgery to free up the tendon.
In some cases, trigger finger goes away on its own within a few weeks.
A person who experiences severe or persistent trigger finger may require steroid injections to reduce swelling and inflammation.
In severe cases, a doctor may recommend a type of surgery called tenolysis, or trigger finger release. Surgery aims to release the pulley that is impeding the movement of the tendon.
Surgery may be necessary if:
- there is persistent pain in the affected digits
- there is reduced movement in the affected digits
- the digits remain permanently locked into a bent position
Surgery can lead to temporary tenderness, discomfort, and swelling that may last up to 6 months. Following surgery, some people may require hand therapy to regain full use of their thumb and fingers.
Some ways to help prevent trigger finger include:
- avoiding repetitive grasping or gripping motions
- avoiding the use of vibrating hand-held machinery
- avoiding any activity that worsens symptoms of trigger finger
Trigger finger is the medical term for swelling of the tendons or pulleys in the hand that enable movement of the fingers and thumb.
Trigger finger usually gets better with rest, splinting, and OTC medications. Gentle stretching exercises can help ease stiffness and increase the range of movement in the affected hand.
Anyone who experiences severe or persistent pain from trigger finger should speak to a doctor. A doctor may recommend steroid injections. If this treatment option is not successful, the doctor may recommend surgery.