Is Your Finger Getting Stuck? How Physiotherapy Helps Trigger Finger Relief

Do you ever feel your finger “lock” or “catch” when you try to bend or straighten it? If yes, you might be experiencing a condition called Trigger Finger. It’s a common hand problem that can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty with everyday tasks like holding objects, writing, or even buttoning your shirt.

The good news is that physiotherapy offers safe, non-surgical solutions to manage and relieve trigger finger. Let’s explore what it is, why it happens, and how physiotherapy can help you recover.

Trigger finger

What Is Trigger Finger?

Trigger Finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, happens when the tendon in your finger becomes irritated and inflamed. Normally, tendons glide smoothly as you move your fingers. But in trigger finger, swelling or thickening prevents smooth movement, causing the finger to:

👉 Get stuck or locked in a bent position

👉 Make a clicking or popping sound when moving

👉 Feel painful or stiff, especially in the morning

It most often affects the thumb, ring finger, or middle finger, but can happen in any digit.

Anatomy of Trigger Finger

Common Causes and Risk Factors:

Trigger finger can affect anyone, but certain factors increase the risk:

1. Repetitive gripping tasks (typing, using tools, gardening)

2. Medical conditions like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis

3. Hand injuries or overuse

4. More common in women and those aged 40–60

Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

You may have trigger finger if you notice:

🔹 Difficulty straightening or bending your finger

🔹 A catching or snapping sensation in the finger

🔹 A painful lump or nodule in the palm at the base of the finger

🔹 Stiffness that worsens in the morning or after rest

How Physiotherapy Helps Trigger Finger Relief

Physiotherapy focuses on pain reduction, tendon healing, and restoring finger mobility. Here’s how it can help:

1. Pain and Swelling Control

✅ Electrotherapy may reduce inflammation around the tendon and help improve blood flow and tissue healing.

2. Stretching and Mobility Exercises

✅ Specific finger and hand stretches reduce stiffness.

✅ Tendon-gliding exercises improve smooth tendon movement.

3. Strengthening Exercises

✅ Targeted exercises restore grip strength without straining the tendon.

✅ Strengthening helps prevent recurrence.

4. Splinting and Support

✅ A custom finger splint may be recommended to rest the tendon.

✅ Supports are especially helpful at night to prevent morning stiffness.

5. Ergonomic and Lifestyle Advice

✅ Modifying daily activities that strain your fingers.

✅ Using adaptive grips or tools to reduce stress on the hand.

Benefits of Physiotherapy Over Surgery

While some severe cases may require injections or surgery, most mild to moderate trigger finger cases respond well to physiotherapy. The advantages include:

✔️ Non-invasive treatment without side effects of surgery

✔️ No downtime – continue daily activities with modifications

✔️ Focus on long-term prevention and hand health

Can Trigger Finger Be Prevented?

Yes! While not all cases can be avoided, you can lower your risk by:

☑️ Taking breaks from repetitive hand tasks

☑️ Doing regular hand stretches and strengthening exercises

☑️ Maintaining good blood sugar control if you have diabetes

☑️ Using tools with ergonomic grips

Trigger finger can be frustrating, but you don’t have to live with the pain and stiffness. Physiotherapy offers effective, non-surgical solutions that focus on healing, mobility, and prevention.

👉 If your finger is getting stuck, don’t wait until it worsens. Book an appointment at Activ Physiotherapy Clinic today and let us help you get back to pain-free hand function.