Painful "Trigger Finger" More Common in Women

A condition called “trigger finger” is more common among women than men.

According to Clayton Alexander, M.D., a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon in The Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Center at Mercy, trigger finger is a type of tendonitis in the palm that causes a triggering or clicking sensation that can be very painful.

Dr. Alexander noted that he usually sees the condition in older women who will notice pain. A patient's finger may get stuck or make a pop or click sound when they grasp something or make a fist.

It is two to six times more common in women. 

“Hormonal [changes are] thought to play a big role, especially in perimenopausal women, whose estrogen is dropping, which is important for tendon health and soft tissue balance,” Dr. Alexander said. “Then, it was thought that there are certain occupational exposures that women were more at risk of, including women who stay at home and women who type a lot. Then, finally, there's associated conditions, which make trigger finger more likely, and women are more likely to have those associated conditions, like inflammatory conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid disease.”

Dr. Alexander added that treatment ranges from a splint or therapy to steroid injections or even surgery, which is usually a cure.

View Mercy orthopedic surgeon Dr. Clayton Alexander’s interview about treating trigger finger.