The exact reason why these problems occur is not known, but several factors may increase the likelihood of trigger finger developing. This makes bending the affected finger or thumb difficult. If the tendon gets caught in the sheath, the finger can click painfully as it's straightened. If the tendon can no longer slide easily through the sheath it can bunch up to form a small lump (nodule). Trigger finger occurs if there's a problem with the tendon or sheath, such as inflammation and swelling. This allows them to move freely and smoothly within the sheath when the fingers are bent and straightened. The tendons are covered by a protective sheath which produces a small amount of fluid to keep the tendons lubricated. The tendons on the palm side of the hand (flexor tendons) are held in place by strong bands of tissue, known as ligaments, which are shaped in arches over the tendon. In the hand, tendons run along the front and back of the bones in the fingers and are attached to the muscles in the forearm. They move the bone when the muscle contracts. Tendons are tough cords that join bone to muscle. They'll examine your hand and advise you about appropriate treatments. See your GP if you think you may have trigger finger. Eventually, it may not fully bend or straighten. You might also get a lump in your palm and your finger may get stuck in a bent position and then suddenly pop straight. If the condition gets worse, you may have pain in your hand even when it's still. Symptoms of trigger finger can include pain at the base of the affected finger or thumb when you move it or press on it, and stiffness or clicking when you move the affected finger or thumb, particularly first thing in the morning. One or more fingers can be affected and the problem may develop in both hands. Trigger finger is also known as stenosing tenosynovitis or stenosing tenovaginosis. If a tendon or the tunnel a tendon runs through (called the tendon sheath) becomes swollen and inflamed, the tendon gets irritated and can 'catch' in the tendon sheath. This can make it difficult to move the affected finger or thumb and can result in a clicking sensation. Trigger finger is a condition that affects one or more of the hand's tendons, making it difficult to bend the affected finger or thumb.

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