Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesRisk FactorsAt-Risk ActivitiesWhen to See a Specialist
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Risk Factors
At-Risk Activities
When to See a Specialist
Trigger finger, the term used to describe fingers locking up, occurs when fingers become stuck in a flexed position as if you’re trying to pull on a trigger. The locking sensation makes it feel as though it’s impossible to move your fingers when they are stuck in that position.
This article discusses the causes and risk factors of finger locking and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Causes: Why Do My Fingers Lock Up?
Locked fingers develop when there are issues withtendonsin the hand, which are tissues that connect bones and muscles. Around the tendons aresheaths, which act as protective tissue for the tendons and aid in keeping the tendons in the correct location.
When there’s a problem with these tendons, your fingers can lock up in the trigger finger position. Several things can cause this, including the following:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
The inflammation and swelling that develop in RA can lead to trigger finger. As the sheath protecting the tendon becomes inflamed or swollen, the tendon cannot move as freely through it.
A Day-to-Day Look at Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Diabetes
Diabetesis ametabolic disorderthat develops when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to handle the glucose in the blood or when it produces no insulin at all. When glucose builds up in the body of someone who has diabetes, it can lead to many other health complications, including trigger finger.
While it is unclear why people with diabetes are more likely to get trigger finger, it’s thought that high blood sugar levels causecollagento build up in the sheaths surrounding the tendons. This buildup of collagen causes a thickening of the sheaths, driving locked fingers because of a lack of internal mobility in the hand.
How Common Is Trigger Finger?Having your fingers locked up is incredibly common. Many people may experience it at some point in their lifetimes. However, people with diabetes are roughly 4 times more likely to develop locked fingers than someone without the disorder.
How Common Is Trigger Finger?
Having your fingers locked up is incredibly common. Many people may experience it at some point in their lifetimes. However, people with diabetes are roughly 4 times more likely to develop locked fingers than someone without the disorder.
Gout
Goutis a form of arthritis that causes sudden pain, swelling, and joint tenderness. It most often affects the joint in the big toe. Because arthritic conditions like gout cause swelling, they can lead to the fingers locking up. If swelling in the hand is severe, it can affect how well the tendons slide through the sheaths.
Gout in the Wrist: Symptoms and Treatment
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidismoccurs when thethyroid, a gland in the neck, doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones to sustain the required functions. This condition can cause locked fingers because of how it impacts the health and vascularity of tendons.
Can Cold Temperatures Cause Locked Fingers?Unlike arthritis, which can flare up during cold weather, temperature changes do not typically play a role in developing locked fingers.
Can Cold Temperatures Cause Locked Fingers?
Unlike arthritis, which can flare up during cold weather, temperature changes do not typically play a role in developing locked fingers.
Does Cold Weather Affect Arthritis?
Amyloidosis
Causes of Hands and Fingers Locking Up
Idiopathic
In some cases, irritation and swelling to the sheath in the hands can lead to a trigger finger for no apparent reason.
Coping with SymptomsThe symptoms of locked fingers, including pain, swelling, loss of motion, and popping, locking, or catching sensations, can all be challenging to deal with. There are treatments, however, that can help relieve symptoms. They include:Splinting the finger overnightNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)Stopping or reducing repetitive hand motions that could drive the development of trigger fingersSteroid injectionsHand physical therapySurgery to correct the issues from within
Coping with Symptoms
The symptoms of locked fingers, including pain, swelling, loss of motion, and popping, locking, or catching sensations, can all be challenging to deal with. There are treatments, however, that can help relieve symptoms. They include:Splinting the finger overnightNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)Stopping or reducing repetitive hand motions that could drive the development of trigger fingersSteroid injectionsHand physical therapySurgery to correct the issues from within
The symptoms of locked fingers, including pain, swelling, loss of motion, and popping, locking, or catching sensations, can all be challenging to deal with. There are treatments, however, that can help relieve symptoms. They include:
Treatment for Mild to Severely Locked Trigger Finger
Risk Factors for Finger Locking
Along with medical conditions and idiopathic causes, locked fingers also have some risk factors. These include:
Risk Factors vs. CausesRisk factors indicate that if someone falls into a specific category, they are at a higher risk of developing a particular condition when there is no sign of a direct cause. Causes, on the other hand, are directly correlated with the onset of a disease or disorder. Some of the causes mentioned above, such as RA and diabetes, could also be considered risk factors.
Risk Factors vs. Causes
Risk factors indicate that if someone falls into a specific category, they are at a higher risk of developing a particular condition when there is no sign of a direct cause. Causes, on the other hand, are directly correlated with the onset of a disease or disorder. Some of the causes mentioned above, such as RA and diabetes, could also be considered risk factors.
Why Your Finger Joints Click, Snap, and Pop
Activities and Jobs Linked to Finger Locking
Since repetitive movements can lead to finger locking, some hobbies and occupations may be considered higher risk when it comes to developing trigger finger.
Activities and jobs linked to the condition include:
Does Trigger Finger Go Away Without Treatment?In many cases, locked fingers will correct themselves in time. That said, the condition can return. Note of how often you have trigger fingers and let your healthcare provider know when it’s happening.
Does Trigger Finger Go Away Without Treatment?
In many cases, locked fingers will correct themselves in time. That said, the condition can return. Note of how often you have trigger fingers and let your healthcare provider know when it’s happening.
When to Get a Referral to a Specialist
When you experience locked finger, pay attention to the signs and symptoms, which include:
If, at any point, these symptoms make it difficult to perform your daily tasks or cause you excessive pain, it’s essential to see anorthopedist, a healthcare provider who specializes in disorders of the musculoskeletal system. While trigger finger isn’t severe in terms of your overall health, it can indicate other health disorders.
There are many treatments you can try so you don’t have to live with the discomfort.Nonsurgical treatments for trigger fingerinclude:
In severe cases, surgery may be needed.
A more severe condition associated with the trigger finger,infectious tenosynovitis, can lead to permanent damage to the finger. If you experience the following symptoms alongside locked fingers, you should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible:
Summary
Having locked fingers can be an uncomfortable experience. When it occurs, it can prevent you from using your hand to perform daily tasks and cause symptoms such as swelling and pain in the hand. There are many causes and risk factors associated with trigger fingers, such as diabetes and various forms of arthritis.
While a severe disorder usually isn’t the cause, locked fingers can indicate other health conditions. See a healthcare provider if trigger finger persists.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Berlanga-de-Mingo D, Lobo-Escolar L, López-Moreno I, Bosch-Aguilá M.Association between multiple trigger fingers, systemic diseases and carpal tunnel syndrome: A multivariate analysis.Rev Esp Cir Ortop Traumatol (Engl Ed).2019 Jul-Aug;63(4):307-312. English, Spanish. doi:10.1016/j.recot.2018.12.003UK National Health Service.Causes - trigger finger.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Trigger finger.Bickham R, Carr L, Butterfield J, Behar B, Dyer AM, Payatakes A.Current management of trigger digit in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A survey of ASSH members.Hand (N Y).2022 Nov;17(6):1098-1103. doi:10.1177/1558944720975137Federer AE, Baumgartner RE, Cunningham DJ, Mithani SK.Increased Rate of Complications following Trigger Finger Release in Diabetic Patients.Plast Reconstr Surg.2020 Oct;146(4):420e-427e. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000007156Merivale Hand Clinic.Diabetes and trigger finger.Wiwanitkit S, Wiwanitkit V.Trigger digits and diabetes mellitus.N Am J Med Sci.2012 Mar;4(3):117-9. doi:10.4103/1947-2714.93879Doucet V, McLeod GJ, Petropolis CJ.Gouty stenosing tenosynovitis: Trigger finger as a first presentation of tophaceous gout.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open.2020 Aug 14;8(8):e3055. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003055Treitz C, Müller-Marienburg N, Meliß RR, Urban P, Axmann HD, Siebert F, Becker K, Martens K, Behrens HM, Gericke E, Tholey A, Röcken C.ATTR- and AFib amyloid - two different types of amyloid in the annular ligament of trigger finger.Amyloid.2023 Jun 23:1-13. doi:10.1080/13506129.2023.2226298Vasiliadis AV, Itsiopoulos I.Trigger finger: An atraumatic medical phenomenon.J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol.2017 Jun;22(2):188-193. doi:10.1142/S021881041750023XOrthoinfo.Trigger finger.Kennedy CD, Huang JI, Hanel DP.In brief: Kanavel’s signs and pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis.Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2016;474(1):280-4. doi:10.1007/s11999-015-4367-x
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Berlanga-de-Mingo D, Lobo-Escolar L, López-Moreno I, Bosch-Aguilá M.Association between multiple trigger fingers, systemic diseases and carpal tunnel syndrome: A multivariate analysis.Rev Esp Cir Ortop Traumatol (Engl Ed).2019 Jul-Aug;63(4):307-312. English, Spanish. doi:10.1016/j.recot.2018.12.003UK National Health Service.Causes - trigger finger.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Trigger finger.Bickham R, Carr L, Butterfield J, Behar B, Dyer AM, Payatakes A.Current management of trigger digit in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A survey of ASSH members.Hand (N Y).2022 Nov;17(6):1098-1103. doi:10.1177/1558944720975137Federer AE, Baumgartner RE, Cunningham DJ, Mithani SK.Increased Rate of Complications following Trigger Finger Release in Diabetic Patients.Plast Reconstr Surg.2020 Oct;146(4):420e-427e. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000007156Merivale Hand Clinic.Diabetes and trigger finger.Wiwanitkit S, Wiwanitkit V.Trigger digits and diabetes mellitus.N Am J Med Sci.2012 Mar;4(3):117-9. doi:10.4103/1947-2714.93879Doucet V, McLeod GJ, Petropolis CJ.Gouty stenosing tenosynovitis: Trigger finger as a first presentation of tophaceous gout.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open.2020 Aug 14;8(8):e3055. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003055Treitz C, Müller-Marienburg N, Meliß RR, Urban P, Axmann HD, Siebert F, Becker K, Martens K, Behrens HM, Gericke E, Tholey A, Röcken C.ATTR- and AFib amyloid - two different types of amyloid in the annular ligament of trigger finger.Amyloid.2023 Jun 23:1-13. doi:10.1080/13506129.2023.2226298Vasiliadis AV, Itsiopoulos I.Trigger finger: An atraumatic medical phenomenon.J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol.2017 Jun;22(2):188-193. doi:10.1142/S021881041750023XOrthoinfo.Trigger finger.Kennedy CD, Huang JI, Hanel DP.In brief: Kanavel’s signs and pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis.Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2016;474(1):280-4. doi:10.1007/s11999-015-4367-x
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Berlanga-de-Mingo D, Lobo-Escolar L, López-Moreno I, Bosch-Aguilá M.Association between multiple trigger fingers, systemic diseases and carpal tunnel syndrome: A multivariate analysis.Rev Esp Cir Ortop Traumatol (Engl Ed).2019 Jul-Aug;63(4):307-312. English, Spanish. doi:10.1016/j.recot.2018.12.003UK National Health Service.Causes - trigger finger.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Trigger finger.Bickham R, Carr L, Butterfield J, Behar B, Dyer AM, Payatakes A.Current management of trigger digit in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A survey of ASSH members.Hand (N Y).2022 Nov;17(6):1098-1103. doi:10.1177/1558944720975137Federer AE, Baumgartner RE, Cunningham DJ, Mithani SK.Increased Rate of Complications following Trigger Finger Release in Diabetic Patients.Plast Reconstr Surg.2020 Oct;146(4):420e-427e. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000007156Merivale Hand Clinic.Diabetes and trigger finger.Wiwanitkit S, Wiwanitkit V.Trigger digits and diabetes mellitus.N Am J Med Sci.2012 Mar;4(3):117-9. doi:10.4103/1947-2714.93879Doucet V, McLeod GJ, Petropolis CJ.Gouty stenosing tenosynovitis: Trigger finger as a first presentation of tophaceous gout.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open.2020 Aug 14;8(8):e3055. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003055Treitz C, Müller-Marienburg N, Meliß RR, Urban P, Axmann HD, Siebert F, Becker K, Martens K, Behrens HM, Gericke E, Tholey A, Röcken C.ATTR- and AFib amyloid - two different types of amyloid in the annular ligament of trigger finger.Amyloid.2023 Jun 23:1-13. doi:10.1080/13506129.2023.2226298Vasiliadis AV, Itsiopoulos I.Trigger finger: An atraumatic medical phenomenon.J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol.2017 Jun;22(2):188-193. doi:10.1142/S021881041750023XOrthoinfo.Trigger finger.Kennedy CD, Huang JI, Hanel DP.In brief: Kanavel’s signs and pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis.Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2016;474(1):280-4. doi:10.1007/s11999-015-4367-x
Berlanga-de-Mingo D, Lobo-Escolar L, López-Moreno I, Bosch-Aguilá M.Association between multiple trigger fingers, systemic diseases and carpal tunnel syndrome: A multivariate analysis.Rev Esp Cir Ortop Traumatol (Engl Ed).2019 Jul-Aug;63(4):307-312. English, Spanish. doi:10.1016/j.recot.2018.12.003
UK National Health Service.Causes - trigger finger.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Trigger finger.
Bickham R, Carr L, Butterfield J, Behar B, Dyer AM, Payatakes A.Current management of trigger digit in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A survey of ASSH members.Hand (N Y).2022 Nov;17(6):1098-1103. doi:10.1177/1558944720975137
Federer AE, Baumgartner RE, Cunningham DJ, Mithani SK.Increased Rate of Complications following Trigger Finger Release in Diabetic Patients.Plast Reconstr Surg.2020 Oct;146(4):420e-427e. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000007156
Merivale Hand Clinic.Diabetes and trigger finger.
Wiwanitkit S, Wiwanitkit V.Trigger digits and diabetes mellitus.N Am J Med Sci.2012 Mar;4(3):117-9. doi:10.4103/1947-2714.93879
Doucet V, McLeod GJ, Petropolis CJ.Gouty stenosing tenosynovitis: Trigger finger as a first presentation of tophaceous gout.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open.2020 Aug 14;8(8):e3055. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003055
Treitz C, Müller-Marienburg N, Meliß RR, Urban P, Axmann HD, Siebert F, Becker K, Martens K, Behrens HM, Gericke E, Tholey A, Röcken C.ATTR- and AFib amyloid - two different types of amyloid in the annular ligament of trigger finger.Amyloid.2023 Jun 23:1-13. doi:10.1080/13506129.2023.2226298
Vasiliadis AV, Itsiopoulos I.Trigger finger: An atraumatic medical phenomenon.J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol.2017 Jun;22(2):188-193. doi:10.1142/S021881041750023X
Orthoinfo.Trigger finger.
Kennedy CD, Huang JI, Hanel DP.In brief: Kanavel’s signs and pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis.Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2016;474(1):280-4. doi:10.1007/s11999-015-4367-x
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