Trigger Finger Treatment in Burlington: How Physiotherapy and Splinting Can Help
Updated: Sep 30
Cogent Rehab Blog
Folarin Babatunde, PT, PhD, MScSEM, mscPT, BScPT
September 3, 2026
Does one of your fingers click, catch or get stuck when you bend or straighten it? You may have a condition called trigger finger. Trigger finger can make simple activities such as opening a jar, holding a coffee mug, typing, gardening or gripping a steering wheel painful and frustrating. Many people can only straighten the finger only by pulling it with the other hand.
The good news is that many cases can be managed without surgery. Treatment may include changing certain activities, wearing a finger splint, doing appropriate exercises or receiving a corticosteroid injection. More severe cases may require assessment by a hand surgeon.
Anatomy of the Finger
The flexor tendons are strong, cord-like tissues that connect the muscles in your forearm to the bones of your fingers and thumb. When these muscles contract, the tendons pull your fingers inward, allowing you to bend them and make a fist.
Each tendon slides through a series of small tunnels called pulleys, which keep it close to the finger bones. This system works much like a fishing line moving through the guides of a fishing rod. The A1 pulley is located in the palm at the base of each finger and is the area most commonly affected by trigger finger.
What Is Trigger Finger?
Your fingers have tendons that help them bend. These tendons move through small tunnels that hold them close to the bones. With trigger finger, the tendon or the tunnel around it becomes thickened or irritated, making it harder for the tendon to move smoothly.
As the tendon tries to pass through the narrowed area, the finger may:
Click or pop
Catch during movement
Suddenly release after becoming stuck
Lock in a bent or straight position
Trigger finger most commonly develops near the base of the finger, where the finger meets the palm. When the thumb is affected, it is often called trigger thumb.
What Causes Trigger Finger?
There is not always one clear cause of trigger finger. Trigger finger may develop because of changes in the tendon and the tunnel through which it moves. Several factors have been linked to trigger finger and includes frequent or forceful gripping, repeated use of hand tools. Hand use may aggravate trigger finger, but it is not always simply an overuse injury.
A person’s health, hand structure and tendon changes may also play a role. Associated conditions include orthopaedic conditions such as:
rheumatoid arthritis
calcific tendinits
septic tenosynovitis
carpal tunnel syndrome
congenital trigger finger
Medical Conditions and comorbidities
diabetes
amyloidosis
hypothyroidism
sarcoidosis
gout
pseudogout
What Does Trigger Finger Feel Like?
Trigger finger does not feel the same for everyone. Early symptoms may include mild discomfort or stiffness. As the condition progresses, the clicking or locking may become more noticeable.
Common symptoms include:
A tender lump at the base of the finger or thumb on the palm side of the hand
A catching, popping, or locking sensation with finger or thumb movement
Pain below your finger when bending or straightening the digit; the pain can travel up into your finger or down into your palm
Morning stiffness
Difficulty making or releasing a fist
A finger that needs help from the opposite hand to straighten
Reduced grip strength
Difficulty completing everyday tasks
Symptoms are often worse in the morning or after the hand has been still for a while. The finger may loosen after gentle movement, but the symptoms can return later in the day. In more severe cases, the finger may remain locked or become increasingly stiff.
How Is Trigger Finger Diagnosed?
Trigger finger can usually be diagnosed through a physical examination. An X-ray or ultrasound is not normally needed unless the symptoms are unusual or another condition is suspected.
During an assessment, your physiotherapist may:
Ask when the symptoms started
Discuss activities that make the symptoms worse
Watch the finger bend and straighten
Feel for tenderness or a lump in the palm
Measure finger movement
Check grip and pinch strength
Look for swelling and stiffness
Assess how the problem affects work and daily activities
Screen the hand, wrist and nerves for other problems
Not every clicking or stiff finger is trigger finger. Arthritis, tendon injuries, Dupuytren’s contracture and other hand conditions can cause similar symptoms.
Is your finger clicking, catching or becoming difficult to straighten? Book a hand and upper-limb physiotherapy assessment at Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center in Burlington.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Physiotherapy may help people with mild or moderate trigger finger, especially when the finger can still move and is not permanently locked. Treatment will depend on your symptoms, daily activities and goals.
Changing Aggravating Activities
You may not need to stop using your hand completely. However, temporarily changing the way you perform certain activities can reduce irritation. Some helpful changes may include:
Reducing forceful gripping
Taking breaks from repeated hand tasks
Using tools with wider or padded handles
Alternating between different activities
Avoiding repeated squeezing to “test” the finger
Temporarily changing work, household or recreational tasks
The aim is to reduce irritation while keeping the hand moving as comfortably as possible.
Splinting for Trigger Finger
A finger splint can limit movement at one joint. This may reduce how often the tendon catches as it moves through the narrowed area. Some people purchase an off-the-counter splint. Others benefit from a custom thermoplastic splint made specifically for their finger.
Custom Splinting vs Off-the-Counter Splinting
An off-the-counter splint may be suitable for some mild cases. A custom splint may be more helpful when accurate positioning, comfort or the ability to continue working is especially important. A recent review of 13 studies found that splinting can reduce pain and triggering and improve hand function over the short term. Most splinting programs in the review lasted about 6–12 weeks. The type of splint and wearing schedule should be based on your symptoms and response to treatment. One splint will not work equally well for everyone.
Table: Custom-Made vs. Off-the-Counter Trigger Finger Splints
Feature | Custom Thermoplastic Splint | Off-the-Counter Splint |
Fit | Moulded to your finger and hand | Available in standard sizes |
Position | Made to hold the correct joint in the required position | Position is already set and may not suit everyone |
Comfort | Shaped around your finger for a closer fit | May feel too tight, loose or bulky |
Adjustments | Can be reheated and reshaped as needed | Usually has limited adjustment |
Movement | Can restrict one joint while allowing other joints to move | May restrict more movement than necessary |
Skin comfort | Edges and pressure areas can be changed | A poor fit may cause rubbing or pressure |
Daily activities | Can be designed around typing, writing, work and self-care | May interfere more with daily tasks |
Follow-up | Includes professional fitting and adjustments | Usually purchased without follow-up |
Availability | Requires an appointment and fabrication | Readily available in stores or online |
Cost | Higher initial cost due to custom fitting | Usually less expensive |
Best suited for | Persistent symptoms or difficulty fitting a standard splint | Mild symptoms or short-term use |
Having trouble finding a splint that fits comfortably? Cogent Rehab offers custom thermoplastic splinting for trigger finger in Burlington.
Gentle Finger Exercises
Keeping the finger completely still for too long may lead to stiffness. Gentle exercises can help maintain movement without repeatedly forcing the finger through painful catching.
Exercises may include:
Gentle finger bending and straightening
Tendon-gliding exercises
Hook-fist and straight-fist movements
Gentle stretching for stiff finger joints
Gradual practice of everyday gripping tasks
Exercises should not be forced through painful locking. Repeatedly making the finger click is unlikely to help and may make it more irritated.
Managing Pain and Stiffness
Treatment may also include:
Advice about pacing activities
Heat or cold based on how the finger responds
Hands-on treatment for stiffness
Swelling-management advice
A simple home exercise program
Guidance about returning to work, hobbies or sport
Returning to Strengthening
Heavy grip exercises are usually not the first step when the finger is painful and actively catching. Once symptoms begin to settle, strengthening may be introduced gradually. This can include light gripping, pinching, wrist strengthening and exercises based on the demands of your job or favourite activities. The goal is not only to stop the clicking. Treatment should also help you return to using your hand with confidence.
What About Corticosteroid Injections?
A corticosteroid injection may be recommended when symptoms do not improve with splinting and activity changes or when the problem is more severe. Relief with injections alone is achieved in up to 90% of non-diabetics.The injection is intended to reduce irritation and improve the tendon’s ability to move. Recent research supports corticosteroid injections as an effective treatment for many adults with trigger finger, although the response can vary and complications such as a tendon rupture may occur. Injections should be discussed with a physician or another qualified healthcare provider. Physiotherapy may still be useful before or after an injection to address stiffness, splinting needs and activity modification.
When Might Surgery Be Needed?
Most people do not start with surgery. However, a doctor or hand surgeon may recommend a procedure when:
The finger remains locked
Symptoms are severe or getting worse
Splinting and other treatments have not helped
Injections have not provided lasting relief
The finger has developed a fixed loss of movement
The problem is significantly limiting daily life
Trigger-finger surgery such as percutanous release of A1 pulley, open surgical debridement and release of the A1 pulley, release of A1 pulley and 1 slip of the FDS creates more space for the tendon to move. Rehabilitation may be helpful afterward if you have swelling, scar sensitivity, stiffness or weakness.
Trigger Finger Physiotherapy at Cogent Rehab in Burlington
At Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center, treatment is based on how trigger finger affects your work, household activities, hobbies and quality of life.
Your treatment may include:
Hand and upper-limb assessment
Custom thermoplastic or prefabricated splinting
Advice about activities that aggravate your symptoms
Gentle mobility and tendon-gliding exercises
Progressive hand strengthening
Work- and activity-specific rehabilitation
Rehabilitation after an injection or surgery
Referral for medical assessment when needed
Getting help early may reduce the risk of increasing stiffness and ongoing difficulty using the hand.
Do not let a clicking or locking finger continue to limit your daily activities. Contact Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center to book a trigger-finger assessment in Burlington.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I keep bending the finger until it clicks?
No. Repeatedly forcing the finger through painful clicking may increase irritation. Gentle movement that does not cause significant pain or locking is usually more appropriate.
Should I wear a trigger-finger splint all day?
Some splinting programs recommend full-time use for several weeks. However, the best schedule depends on the splint design, your symptoms, your skin and your daily activities.
Can trigger finger improve without surgery?
Yes. Many mild or moderate cases improve with activity changes, splinting, physiotherapy or a corticosteroid injection.
Can massage cure trigger finger?
Massage may temporarily reduce discomfort or stiffness, but it does not reliably correct the narrowed area around the tendon. It should not be used as the only treatment.
How long does recovery take?
Recovery time varies. Splinting programs often last at least six weeks, but some people require longer treatment. Improvement depends on how severe the problem is, how long it has been present and how the finger responds to treatment.
References
Donati D, Ricci V, Boccolari et al. From diagnosis to rehabilitation of trigger finger: a narrative review. BMC Musculoskeletal Disord. 2024;25:1061.
Merry SP, O'Grady JS, Boswell CL. Trigger finger? Just shoot! J Prim Care Community Health. 2020;11:2150132720943345
Kuper G, Da Silva D, Carr M, Brown E. Comparative effectiveness of corticosteroid injections for trigger finger: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2026;113:332–341.
McKenna ES, Co N, Brancaccio H, et al. Efficacy of splinting in managing adult trigger finger: A systematic review of short-term outcomes. Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online. 2026;8(1):100881.
Lo YC, Lin CH, Huang SW, et al. High incidence of trigger finger after carpal tunnel release: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Surgery. 2023;109(8):2427–2434.
Guggenheim L, Kang Y, Furniss D, Wiberg A. Identifying non-genetic factors associated with trigger finger. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 2024;94:91-97.
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