If one of your fingers or your thumb catches, clicks, or suddenly locks in a bent position — sometimes needing your other hand to straighten it — you may have trigger finger (also called stenosing tenosynovitis). It is uncomfortable, frustrating, and can make simple tasks like gripping a kettle or doing up buttons surprisingly difficult.
The good news: it often responds very well to a straightforward injection, without the need for surgery.
What causes trigger finger?
Tendons run through small tunnels (sheaths) in your hand and allow your fingers to bend and straighten. In trigger finger, the tendon or its sheath becomes inflamed and swollen, so the tendon can no longer glide smoothly. It snags as it passes through the narrowed tunnel — producing that catching or locking sensation. It is more common in people with diabetes and in those whose hands do repetitive gripping.
How an injection helps
A steroid injection placed around the affected tendon sheath reduces the inflammation that is causing the swelling. As the swelling settles, the tendon can glide freely again, and the catching, clicking and locking typically ease. Many people notice meaningful improvement within days to a couple of weeks.
For a large number of patients, a single injection is enough to resolve the problem. Where symptoms return, the injection can sometimes be repeated, and only a minority of cases go on to need surgery.
What to expect
After a consultation to confirm the diagnosis and discuss the risks and benefits, the injection itself is quick. You will usually be advised to rest the hand for a few days and avoid heavy gripping while it settles. As with any injection, there is a small chance of a temporary flare of discomfort in the first few days before the improvement begins.
Why not just wait?
Left untreated, a finger that keeps locking can become stiff and, in some cases, get stuck in a bent position that is harder to treat. Early treatment is usually simpler and more effective — and it gets you back to using your hand normally sooner.
You do not need a GP referral and you should not have to wait months. Contact Norfolk Health & Joint Care for rapid private assessment in central Norwich, with home visits available for those with restricted mobility.
FAQ
Does a trigger finger injection hurt? The injection is quick. A minority of people have a short-lived flare of discomfort for a few days before symptoms improve.
How long does a trigger finger injection take to work? Many people notice improvement within a few days to two weeks as the inflammation settles.
Will I need surgery? Often not. Many cases resolve with one or more injections; only a minority go on to need surgery.
