Why does trigger finger cause locking or catching finger?

Symptoms may be worse after rest, including on waking, because the tendon has less room to move freely. You may feel tenderness at the palm-side base of the affected finger, and the finger may need help from the other hand to straighten. Repeated gripping can aggravate the rubbing. The symptom pattern can occur for reasons other than trigger finger, so an examination helps confirm the cause.

Reduce activities that repeatedly squeeze, pinch, or forcefully grip, while keeping gentle comfortable finger movement. A clinician may suggest a night splint, hand therapy, or medicine for pain and inflammation. If catching continues or interferes with daily tasks, discuss an injection or a minor procedure that creates more room for the tendon. Read more about [Trigger Finger](/conditions/trigger-finger/).

Arrange medical assessment if the finger remains locked, movement is becoming more limited, or pain and swelling persist despite reducing aggravating activity. Seek prompt care after an injury if the finger looks deformed, becomes numb, changes colour, or cannot be moved. Sudden severe swelling with fever also needs urgent evaluation.

Ask which tendon or pulley is involved, whether a splint could help your pattern, and how long to try activity changes. You can also ask what benefits and possible drawbacks apply to an injection or release procedure, and when hand therapy would be useful.