05/14/2026
Imagine your finger works like a fishing rod. The tendon is the line, and it’s supposed to slide smoothly through "eyelets" (called pulleys) to move your finger. Trigger finger happens when that line gets a bit swollen or develops a tiny knot. Instead of sliding easily, it gets stuck or "snaps" through the eyelet, causing your finger to catch, pop, or even get stuck in a bent position.
It’s usually caused by inflammation from repetitive gripping or underlying health tweaks. You might notice it most in the morning, feeling stiffness or a painful bump in your palm at the base of your finger.
Physiotherapy is often the first line of defense for getting your finger moving smoothly again. A therapist uses a mix of manual therapy to treat capsular restrictions, targeted gliding exercises that help the tendon slide through its sheath without catching, and modalities to address the underlying inflammation.
