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Does your finger catch or lock when you try to bend it? You might be experiencing trigger finger (or Stenosing Flexor Tenosynovitis) – a common hand condition that can affect your ability to perform simple everyday tasks like gripping, typing, or using everyday tools like gardening shears, a screwdriver, or even a paintbrush.
At Hand Therapy Experts, we specialise in non-surgical trigger finger treatment at our North Shore clinic. Our Accredited Hand Therapist, Chen Li has over 10 years of experience in treating adults and children requiring paediatric hand therapy for symptoms like swelling and locking with a targeted and conservative approach.
With no referral needed, we have flexible appointment options to get you back to normal.
Or Call 1300 334 263.
Trigger finger or trigger thumb is a common hand condition characterised by clicking or locking of the finger or thumb.
It commonly occurs when flexor tendons are repeatedly stressed with gripping. This causes thickening and swelling of the A1 pulley and tendons, limiting tendon glide.
As the tendon needs to work harder to glide through the A1 pulley, it leads to catching, locking or triggering.
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Common symptoms include popping or clicking when making a fist.
The finger might catch or remain locked in a bent position. There may also be swelling or a palpable nodule across the finger on the palm. You may also experience pain with gripping or lifting.
Conservative treatment with splinting and exercises can be effective in fixing trigger finger during the early stages of the condition. It can help reduce inflammation in the pulley and flexor tendon, allowing more space for the tendon to glide smoothly.
Research shows 68.9% of patients get relief with conservative treatment, including splinting. Symptoms are also considerably better if diagnosed within the first 4 months of treatment.
Our non-surgical stenosing flexor tenosynovitis treatment program includes 4 comprehensive steps to ensure the cause of your pain or muscle imbalances is effectively managed.
| Initial Assessment And Diagnosis | Begin Non-Surgical Treatment | Support Your Recovery | Recovery Timeline And Expectations |
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Depending on how severe your stenosing flexor tenosynovitis injury is, we’ll work with you at our North Shore, Sydney clinic to provide a tailored plan and conservative approach that effectively targets both inflammation and function.
Our trigger finger treatments include:
We offer custom trigger finger splints, which provide comfort and relief for tendons that are inflamed or experience locking – all crafted with care by our experienced Accredited Hand Therapist, Chen Li.
Stenosing tenosynovitis can occur during or after pregnancy. This is commonly associated with swelling in the body due to hormonal changes during pregnancy or after giving birth. As a result, there’s less room for the flexor tendons to move through the pulley, causing clicking and locking.
The condition can be managed non-surgically during or after pregnancy. A hand therapist can make a custom splint to reduce swelling, clicking and locking. They can also provide advice on what exercises to avoid to prevent clicking from worsening.
Paediatric trigger finger or trigger thumb is a rare condition in children. It can occur as a congenital trigger thumb, where a baby is born with a bent thumb with no known cause. It can also develop in children and teenagers due to overuse, strain or trauma.
Treatment depends on the severity, type of condition and the child’s age. A hand therapist can assess the triggering and provide advice on splinting, stretches or seeing a hand surgeon. If appropriate, a custom splint can also be made for your child to wear at night to stretch the finger tendon.
If you’re in severe pain, experiencing sudden locking or clicking of your finger or symptoms getting worse fast, we offer same-day bookings for emergency trigger finger treatment.
We are available for urgent and immediate care, even outside business hours. Whether you have flexor tendonitis or stenosing tenosynovitis, we can treat you during the week and on weekends for faster relief.
We pride ourselves on offering person-centred, high-quality care for people with trigger finger. All treatment is provided by Hand Therapist, Chen Li, whose conservative approach provides effective treatment without surgery.
If yours is a more complex case, Chen also works with upper limb surgeons for effective trigger finger release. If your finger continues to trigger after a month of full-time splinting, Chen may recommend that you see a specialist hand surgeon to discuss cortisone injection or surgical options.
So you’ve just finished up with your tailored hand therapy program and now it’s time to keep those healthy hand habits going in order to minimise the chance of this condition from returning. Here are some top tips from our hand therapist, Chen Li, that are backed up by evidence.
For more questions and answers, visit our trigger finger faq page.
If you are experiencing pain, call us on 1300 334 263 or fill out our online form to begin your treatment for trigger finger.
North Shore clinic – appointments available
Cromer location – appointments available
