Trigger finger or thumb
Triggering finger is a stenosing tenosynovitis, big words that mean the tendon in the hand gets irritated because the sheath or tunnel through which it travels becomes narrowed. The tendon typically becomes inflamed and consequently, sometimes it gets trapped and needs to be forced straight with the other hand (hence the use of the word triggering).
Treatment in the first instance can consist of simple splinting while the tendon inflammation settles, an injection with steroid to reduce inflammation and oral anti-inflammatory tablets. If this simple treatment does not work then operative treatment is typically required. This is a simple day procedure which can be performed under local anaesthetic. All we do is divide the tendon tunnel where the tendon is getting trapped.