Why do fingers stick, whether bent or straight?

The tendons in the hands are wrapped in a sheath that holds them in place. However, sometimes the tendon can become irritated and swollenwhich prevents it from sliding smoothly under the sheath.

When this happens, the finger or thumb can get stuck in a bent or straight position, a condition called trigger finger.

Sara Snyder, an orthopedic nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System, explains that typically people age 45 and older and those with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop trigger finger.

However, younger people should keep this in mind the tendon sheath becomes irritated due to overwork or injuryso people who perform repetitive motions, push hard or lift heavy loads at work may be prone to this condition.

According to Snyder, symptoms include a small, painful lump at the base of a finger or thumb on the palm of the hand.

He adds that if your finger or thumb becomes stiff, you can apply gentle pressure to force it to straighten or bend.

In more complex cases, a less frequent non-surgical treatment is a splint. A splint is used at night to straighten the affected finger or thumb.

Furthermore, when the drugs over-the-counter injections and steroids are not effective, the person may need surgery, which is a quick, same-day procedure.

During the operation, a small incision is made in the palm, usually along the crease, to make the scar less visible. The surgeon probes under the skin to loosen adhesions.

“Awareness is the first line of prevention. If you notice a small, painful lump at the base of your thumb or finger, or if it feels like it’s sticking or clicking, you may need to see an orthopedic health professional,” points out Snyder van.