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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Each digit of the hand has the ability to move freely throughout a full ROM into flexion and extension.
The efficiency, fluidity, and forcefulness of such movements are made possible by several "pulleys" on the digit of the hand. These pulley systems are comprised of a series of retinacular-type structures that are either annular or cruciform in nature. There are five annular pulleys (A1-A5) and three cruciform pulleys (C1-C3).
Trigger ﬁnger is thought to be caused by inflammation and subsequent narrowing of the A1 pulley of the affected digit, typically the third or fourth. The A1 pulley is most often affected but there are some reported cases where the A2 and A3 pulleys were affected. It can also occur in the thumb and is then called trigger thumb. A difference in size between the flexor tendon sheath and the flexor tendons may lead to abnormalities of the gliding mechanism by causing actual abrasion between the two surfaces, resulting in the development of progressive inflammation between the tendons and the sheath.
Commonly, trigger finger is referred to as "stenosing tenosynovitis". However, there have been histologic studies showing that the inflammation occurs more so in the tendon sheaths rather than the tendosynovium, making this name a false depiction of the actual pathophysiology of the condition.
Epidemiology/Aetiology[edit | edit source]
Statistically, trigger finger is more likely to develop in the fifth or sixth decade of life and women are up to six times more likely to develop trigger finger than men. The average age is 58 years. The chance of developing trigger finger is 2-3%, but in the diabetic population, it rises to 10%. This is not due to glycemic control, but rather due to the duration of the disease. Trigger finger can concomitantly occur in patients with:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- DeQuervain's disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Renal disease
There have been many potential causes of trigger finger discussed throughout the literature. However, there is little to no evidence on the precise aetiology.
- Occupational-related causes of trigger finger have been proposed, but the research linking the two is very inconsistent
- Authors suggest that trigger finger can manifest from any activity requiring prolonged forceful finger flexion (i.e. carrying shopping bags or a briefcase, prolonged writing, rock climbing, or the strenuous grasping of small tools or objects with sharp edges)
- It is important to consider that the cause of trigger finger is often multi-factorial in nature
- The condition could develop idiopathically or secondary to other pathologies 
Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
Trigger finger has a range of clinical presentations. Initially, patients may present with painless clicking during movement of the digit. This can progress to painful catching or popping, typically at the MCP or PIP joints.
Possible additional symptoms are:
- Stiffness and swelling (especially in the morning)
- Intermittent finger locking during active flexion that requires a passive force to extend the finger
- Finger locking or clicking in a bent position then popping straight
- Loss of full flexion / extension
- Palpable painful nodule proximal to A1, and / or finger locked into a flexed position
- Slight thickening at the base of the digit and pain that may radiate to the palm or to the distal aspect of the digit
Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The main characteristic of trigger finger is popping and / or catching with movement of the digit. However, this characteristic is not unique to just trigger finger. Other aetiologies associated with a locking digit include:
- Dupuytren's contracture
- Focal dystonia
- Flexor tendon / sheath tumour
- Sesamoid bone anomalies
- Post-traumatic tendon entrapment on the metacarpal head
Complaints of pain at the MCP joint could be associated with any of the following:
- DeQuervain's (for trigger thumb only)
- Ulnar collateral ligament injury / Gamekeeper's thumb
- MCP joint sprain
- Extensor apparatus injury
- MCP joint osteoarthritis
Diagnosis of trigger finger is based on the patient's signs and symptoms. Ultrasound is used to measure the thickness of the affected sheath and to compare it with an unaffected sheath. The degree of thickening seen on ultrasound is correlated with symptom severity. Injection of lidocaine into the flexor sheath to relieve the pain and allow the movement in the joint can also help in the diagnosis.
Read these documents on differential diagnosis:
- Trigger Digits: Principles, Management, and Complications
- Disorders of the Hand: A Case Study Approach
Outcome Measures[edit | edit source]
- Numeric Pain Rating Scale
- Grip Strength (Jamar dynameter)
- DASH Outcome Measure
- Stages of Stenosing Tenosynovitis (SST)
- 1 = Normal
- 2 = A painful palpable nodule
- 3 = Triggering
- 4 = The proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint locks into flexion and is unlocked with active PIP joint extension
- 5 = The PIP joint locks and is unlocked with passive PIP joint extension
- 6 = The PIP joint remains locked in a flexed position
- Participant Perceived Improvement in Symptoms Rating Scale
- 1 = Resolved
- 2 = Improved, but not completely resolved
- 3 = Not resolved
- 4 = Resolved, but triggering at the distal interphalangeal/proximal interphalangeal joint(s)
- 5 = Resolved at ten weeks versus six weeks
- Open & Close Hand 10 Times - Patient is to actively make ten fists. The number of triggering events in ten active full fists is then scored out of 10. If the patient’s finger remains locked at any time, the test is completed and an automatic score of 10/10 is recorded
Examination[edit | edit source]
History[edit | edit source]
Ask the patient specific questions to understand more about the nature of their symptoms that would help you in the diagnosis of their condition such as:
- Recent trauma
- Job-related repetitive movements
- Locking or snapping while flexing or extending the affected digit
- Radiating pain to the palm or digits
Past Medical History[edit | edit source]
- Diabetic individuals are four times more likely to develop trigger finger
- Disorders causing connective tissue changes such as RA and Gout are also associated with trigger finger
Observation[edit | edit source]
- A digit locked in flexion
- Bony proliferative changes in the sub-adjacent PIP joint
Palpation[edit | edit source]
- Painful nodule in the palmar MCP secondary to intratendinous swelling
Range of Movement[edit | edit source]
- Loss of motion, particularly in extension
Manual Muscle Testing[edit | edit source]
- Flexor Digitorum Profundus
- Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
- Grip strength using the Jamar Dynameter
Note: If the finger is locked, testing may not be possible.
Joint Accessory Mobility[edit | edit source]
Special Tests[edit | edit source]
- Open and Close hand 10x
Management[edit | edit source]
The chronic nature of the symptoms associated with trigger finger makes conservative treatment difficult and often frustrating. Still conservative care (listed below in PT Management) is always recommended as a treatment plan prior to surgical intervention.
No-operative Management[edit | edit source]
Corticosteroid Injection[edit | edit source]
Corticosteroid use has shown to be effective in reducing pain and frequency of triggering. The shot is injected into the affected tendon and reduces the inflammation and pressure on the tendon for better gliding through the flexor pulleys. Application by a primary care provider is an effective and safe alternative to surgical therapy. Patient satisfaction, safety, and functional improvement are characteristics of steroidal injections in comparison to surgical treatment. Surgery is associated with higher costs, longer absence from work, and the possibility of surgical complications. Studies have also shown the combination of corticosteroid injections with lidocaine to have significantly more effectiveness than lidocaine alone.
Possible Side effects
- Flaring at the injection site
- Local infections
- Tendon ruptures
- Allergic reactions
- Atrophy of subcutaneous fat tissue
- Under 18 years old
- Any prior treatment or surgery to the area within the last six months
- Possible traumatic or neoplastic origin of symptoms
Physical Therapy Management[edit | edit source]
As with all disorders of the upper extremity, proximal segments must be screened. Also, because posture can contribute to distal problems, it should be addressed to provide the patient with optimal outcomes.
Since trigger finger is observed as an overuse injury, education is very important. Education should be given on:
- Modifications of activities
- Specialized tools
The first step in treatment is to stop doing activities that aggravate the condition. Splinting is one of the best ways to limit motion. Most authors agree that the intent of splinting is to alter the biomechanics of the flexor tendons while encouraging maximal differential tendon glide. However, authors disagree on which joints to include in the splint and the degree of joint positioning. There are various ways to splint a patient but, ultimately, it will depend on what provides the patient with the most relief. Splints are usually worn for 6-10 weeks. Some authors recommended positioning the MCP joint at 0 degrees and allowing full DIP joint movement. It should be noted that splinting yields lower success rates in patients with severe triggering or longstanding duration of symptoms.
Two major types of splinting most recently studied:
- Splinting at the DIP joint. This showed to have a resolution in 50% of the patient’s symptoms
- Splinting at the MCP joint with 15 degrees of flexion. This showed to have a resolution of the patient’s symptoms of 92.9%.
Three exercises are recommended in the management of trigger fingers particularly following surgical release:
- Digit blocking: patient to block the MCP joint, and allow the PIP joints to bend. This exercise could be done with all fingers at the same time or individually. The same exercise could be repeated at the DIP joint. Repetition and frequency are advised according to the level of stiffness and pain
- Tendon gliding: check the video below for the sequence of movement
- Active range of motion: Finger abduction and adduction are recommended to strengthen the interossei and the lumbricals
Modalities such as heat / ice, ultrasound, electric stimulation, massage, stretching, and joint motion (active and passive) can have some positive effects on the trigger finger. It is thought that heat can help by providing increased blood flow and extensibility to the tendon. Stretching after applying heat can provide more extensibility with plastic deformation. Joint movement and mobilisations increase joint and soft tissue mobility via a slow, passive therapeutic traction and translational gliding.
Although the evidence is lacking, some documented cases and studies of improvement with various combinations of these techniques exist:
- 74 patients were treated with ten sessions of wax therapy, ultrasound, stretching muscle exercises and massage. At 3 months, 68.8 percent of patients reported no pain or triggering. Of this 68.8 percent of patients, none had pain or triggering at 6 months
- 60 trigger thumbs in 48 children were treated daily with passive exercises of their affected thumb by their mother. This resulted in a cure rate of 80 percent for stage 2 and 25 percent for stage 3 thumbs after an average of 62 months
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
Recently, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been advanced as a possible alternative to surgery for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in patients recalcitrant to traditional conservative treatment. Yildirim and colleagues carried out a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial to determine the efficacy of ESWT in the treatment of trigger finger versus corticosteroid injection. Patients were followed up at one, three and six months. They found that three sessions of ESWT treatment could be as effective as a corticosteroid injection for improving symptom severity and functional status in patients with a classification of grade 2 according to the Quinnell classification. Patients in the ESWT group received 1000 shocks at an energy flux density of 2.1 bar (frequency 15 Hz) for three sessions. There was a one week break between each session. They found that both ESWT and corticosteroid groups had statistically significant improvements in all outcomes after treatment.
It is believed that ESWT induces the repair of the inflamed tissues by tissue regeneration and stimulates nitric oxide synthase, leading to suppression of ongoing inflammation in the soft tissues. There is also mild evidence that one of these mechanisms may have a beneficial effect on the thickening of the flexor tendon and its sheath. This may enable the obstruction in the trigger finger to be overcome. ESWT offers an alternative for people who reject corticosteroid injections because of potential complications, or who are allergic to local anaesthetics or who have an intense fear of injections ('needle phobia').
Operative Management[edit | edit source]
Open Surgical Technique[edit | edit source]
When conservative treatment fails, surgery is indicated. Open surgery combined with effective rehabilitation allows a rapid and significant improvement in hand function with a low complication risk. This technique, considered to be the gold standard, is performed by making a longitudinal incision in the palmar crease over the metacarpophalangeal joint of the involved digit and followed by the release of the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus tendons. This procedure lasts 2-7 minutes and has an average time of discomfort (45 days) post-op. An advantage to this technique is it allows the pulley to be visualised and therefore has less risk of damage to the digital nerves compared to endoscopic techniques.
Endoscopic Surgical Technique[edit | edit source]
This technique is performed by making two incisions: one at the palmar crease over the metacarpophalangeal and the other at the volar crease of the finger. An endoscope is then introduced to cut the pulley releasing the flexor tendons. This procedure lasts two to nine minutes and has a shorter average time of discomfort (23 days) post-op. Other advantages are the absence of scars and scar related problems and shorter post-op rehabilitation. However, there is a large learning curve and the instruments are costly.
Percutaneous Release[edit | edit source]
This technique can be performed with or without imaging. Non-image-guided (blind) percutaneous release is performed by using anatomical landmarks to avoid injury to the tendons and neurovascular structures. The recovery time is shorter than open surgery, but the chance for damage to the digital nerves is higher, especially to digits 1, 2, and 5. A new technique using ultrasound-guidance helps clearly identify the tendons and neurovascular structures, preventing potential complications that are present with non-image-guided percutaneous release and it also compares favourably with surgical techniques.
References[edit | edit source]
- Makkouk AH, Oetgen ME, Swigart CR, Dodds SD. Trigger finger: etiology, evaluation, and treatment. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. 2008 Jun 1;1(2):92-6.
- Deskur A, Deskur Z. Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation of Trigger Thumb and Finger. Central European Journal of Sport Sciences and Medicine. 2017;17(1):61-6.
- Andreu JL, Oton T, Silvia-Fernandez L, Sanz J. Hand pain other than carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS): The role of occupational factors. Best Practice and Research Clinical Rheumatology. 2011;25:31–42.
- Szmiga L. Trigger Finger. Phsyioplus Course 2020
- Bianchi S, Gitto S, Draghi F. Ultrasound Features of Trigger Finger: Review of the Literature. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. 2019 Dec;38(12):3141-54.
- Schöffl VR, Schöffl I. Finger pain in rock climbers: reaching the right differential diagnosis and therapy. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2007;47:70-78.
- Colbourn J, Heath N, Manary S, Pacifico D. Effectiveness of splinting for the treatment of trigger finger. Journal of Hand Therapy.2008; 21(4):36-343.
- Matthews A, Smith K, Read L, Nicholas J, Schmidt E. Trigger finger: An overview of the treatment options. Journal of the American Academy of PAs. 2019 Jan 1;32(1):17-21.
- Tendon trouble in the hand: de quarvain's tenosynovitis and trigger finger. Harvard Women's Health Watch.2010:4-5.
- Howitt S. The conservative treatment of trigger thumb using Graston techniques and active release technique. JCCA. 206;50(4):249-254.
- Peters-Veluthamaningal C, Winters JC, Groenier KH et al. Corticosteroid injections effective for trigger finger in adults in general practice: a double-blinded randomised placebo controlled trial. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2008;67;1262-1266.
- Peters-Veluthamaningal C, van der Windt DA, Winters JC, Meyboom-de Jong B. Corticosteroid injection for trigger finger in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009; (1): CD005617.
- Yung E, Asavasopon S, Godges J. Screening for head, neck, and shoulder pathology in patients with upper extremity signs and symptoms. Journal Of Hand Therapy [serial online]. April 2010;23(2):173-186. Available from: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 23, 2011.
- Salim, N., S. Abdullah, J. Sapuan, and N. H. M. Haflah.Outcome of corticosteroid injection versus physiotherapy in the treatment of mild trigger fingers. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) 0th ser. 0.0 (2011): 1-8. November 19, 2011.
- Lunsford D, Valdes K, Hengy S. Conservative management of trigger finger: A systematic review. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2019 Apr 1;32(2):212-21.
- Tendon Glide Exercises | Ability Rehabilitation . Available from:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=favZefGkiHk[last accessed 2/12/2020]
- Watanabe, H., Yoshiki Hamada, Tadahito Toshima, and Koki Nagasawa. Conservative treatment for trigger thumb in children. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery. 2001;121(7):388-90.
- Yildirim, P., Gultekin, A., Yildirim, A., Karahan, A. Y., & Tok, F. (2016). Extracorporeal shock wave therapy versus corticosteroid injection in the treatment of trigger finger: a randomized controlled study. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume), 41(9), 977-983.
- Seok, H., & Kim, S. H. (2013). The effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy vs. local steroid injection for management of carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation, 92(4), 327-334.
- Akhtar, S., Bradley, M. J., Quinton, D. N., & Burke, F. D. (2005). Management and referral for trigger finger/thumb. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 331(7507), 30.
- Rajeswaran G., Lee J.C., Eckersley R., et al. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous release of the annular pulley in trigger digit. European Society of Radiology. 2009;19:2232-2237.