09/15/2026
Why can trigger finger make your finger suddenly lock — and how do doctors fix it?
Trigger finger develops when the tendon responsible for bending the finger has difficulty passing through a small tunnel of tissue called the A1 pulley.
As the tendon and surrounding tissue become irritated and thickened, the tendon can begin catching underneath the pulley. This can cause pain, stiffness, clicking, or the finger becoming stuck before suddenly snapping straight.
When symptoms are severe and conservative treatments haven't worked, a surgeon can release the A1 pulley.
This creates more space for the tendon to glide underneath it. Importantly, the tendon itself is not cut.
Once the pulley has been released, the surgeon checks that the tendon can move smoothly as the finger bends and straightens.
Most cases of trigger finger don't require surgery, but surgical release may be considered when symptoms repeatedly interfere with normal hand movement.
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