Trigger Finger Treatment Birmingham & Warwickshire

Trigger Finger (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Causes, Diagnosis, and Effective Treatment Options

Trigger finger is a common condition that causes pain, stiffness, and a catching or locking sensation when bending or straightening a finger or thumb. While it often begins as mild discomfort, it can progress to significant restriction in hand function if left untreated.

At Dynamic Regenerative Medicine, with specialist clinics in Birmingham and Warwickshire, we regularly assess and treat trigger finger using a combination of conservative rehabilitation, activity modification, splinting, and injection therapies including corticosteroid and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Early intervention is important to reduce inflammation, restore smooth tendon movement, and prevent long-term thickening of the tendon sheath.

What Is Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger, medically known as stenosing tenosynovitis, occurs when a flexor tendon in the finger becomes inflamed or thickened, making it difficult for the tendon to glide smoothly through the pulley system in the finger.

As a result the finger may catch during movement, be associated with a clicking or snapping sensation may occur, or the finger may lock in a bent position, with straightening may become painful.

In more advanced cases, the finger may require assistance from the other hand to straighten.

Common Symptoms of Trigger Finger

Patients commonly report:

• Pain at the base of the finger or thumb

• Clicking or popping during movement

• Morning stiffness

• Locking of the finger

• Tenderness in the palm

• A small palpable nodule in some cases

Symptoms often worsen with gripping, repetitive hand use, or prolonged manual activity.

Why Does Trigger Finger Develop?

Trigger finger typically develops due to irritation or overload of the flexor tendon.

Common contributing factors include:

👉🏼 Repetitive gripping or manual work

👉🏼 Overuse in sports or gym activities

👉🏼 Inflammatory conditions

👉🏼 Diabetes or metabolic conditions

👉🏼 Previous hand injuries

In many cases, there is no single identifiable cause, but repetitive strain is frequently involved.

Diagnosis of Trigger Finger

Diagnosis is usually straightforward with a clinical examination.

Clinical Evaluation

A specialist clinician will assess:

✅ Finger movement and locking

✅ Tenderness over the A1 pulley

✅ Presence of nodules or thickening

✅ Grip strength and hand function

✅ Impact on daily activities

Ultrasound Imaging

Ultrasound may be used when:

• Diagnosis is uncertain

• Symptoms persist

• Injection therapy is planned

Ultrasound helps visualise tendon thickening, inflammation, and pulley involvement, and ensures accurate placement of injections.

Why Early Treatment Matters

Trigger finger is often progressive.

Without treatment:

• Tendon thickening may worsen

• Locking may become more frequent

• Range of motion may decrease

• Secondary stiffness may develop

Early management reduces inflammation and restores tendon glide before structural changes become more pronounced.

Conservative Treatment for Trigger Finger

Many cases improve with non-surgical treatment, particularly when managed early.

At Dynamic Regenerative Medicine, conservative treatment is often the first step.

👉🏼 Activity Modification

Reducing repetitive gripping and heavy manual tasks can help reduce tendon irritation.

✔️ Temporary reduction in gym or lifting activities

✔️ Ergonomic adjustments at work

✔️ Avoiding prolonged gripping

Allowing the tendon to settle is often a key early step in recovery.

👉🏼 Splinting

A night splint or resting splint may:

✔️ Limit tendon irritation

✔️ Reduce morning stiffness

✔️ Allow the inflamed tissue to settle

Splinting is usually used for several weeks alongside rehabilitation.

👉🏼 Rehabilitation and Hand Therapy

Targeted exercises may help:

• Maintain finger mobility

• Reduce stiffness

• Improve tendon glide

• Restore grip strength gradually

Soft tissue therapy and mobilisation techniques may also be beneficial in selected cases.

Injection Therapy for Trigger Finger

If symptoms persist despite conservative treatment, injection therapy can be highly effective.

✅ Corticosteroid Injection

Corticosteroid injection is considered one of the most effective non-surgical treatments for trigger finger.

Benefits may include:

• Rapid reduction in inflammation

• Improved tendon movement

• Reduction in pain and locking

Many patients experience significant improvement within days to weeks.

Ultrasound guidance improves accuracy and ensures medication is delivered precisely around the tendon sheath.

In many cases, corticosteroid injections can resolve symptoms completely, particularly in early or moderate stages.

✅ Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP therapy may be considered in selected cases, particularly when:

• Symptoms are chronic

• Tendon degeneration is suspected

• Recurrent symptoms occur

PRP uses concentrated platelets derived from the patient’s own blood and may help support tendon healing and reduce inflammation.

PRP is often combined with:

✅ Rehabilitation

✅ Load management

✅ Biomechanical correction

to optimise long-term outcomes.

Preventing Recurrence

Long-term success depends on addressing contributing factors.

Prevention strategies may include:

• Improving hand ergonomics

• Strengthening forearm and hand muscles

• Gradual return to gripping activities

• Modifying gym or occupational techniques

Education and rehabilitation play a key role in preventing recurrence.

When Is Surgery Needed?

Surgery is typically considered only when:

• Symptoms persist despite injections

• Locking is severe

• Function is significantly impaired

Many patients improve with conservative and injection-based treatments, avoiding the need for surgical release.

When Should You Seek Assessment?

You should seek professional assessment if you experience:

• Finger clicking or locking

• Pain at the base of the finger or thumb

• Stiffness that is worsening

• Difficulty gripping objects

Early treatment leads to better outcomes and faster recovery.

Specialist Treatment in Birmingham and Warwickshire

At Dynamic Regenerative Medicine, we provide comprehensive treatment for trigger finger and other hand conditions, including:

✅ Musculoskeletal assessment

✅ Ultrasound diagnosis

✅ Corticosteroid injections

✅ PRP and regenerative therapies

✅ Physiotherapy and rehabilitation

✅ Osteopathy and manual therapy

✅ Specialist exercise programmes

Our integrated approach focuses on restoring function, reducing pain, and preventing recurrence.

Book a Consultation

If you are experiencing finger pain, clicking, or locking, early assessment can prevent progression and speed recovery.

Dynamic Regenerative Medicine

Clinics in Birmingham and Warwickshire

Specialists in musculoskeletal medicine, rehabilitation, and regenerative therapies.

Contact us today to arrange an assessment.

www.dynamicregenmedicine.co.uk

01564 330773