Trigger finger starts as painless clicking of a finger when it is straightened. When left untreated, this progresses to painful extension of the finger after one makes a fist. With time the finger becomes locked in flexion in the palm (like when making a fist). This occurs because the tendon, which normally glides in a lubricated tunnel, becomes trapped in a narrowed area of the tunnel. Trigger finger release opens the narrowed area. It is done in the office with local anesthesia.
