My Fingers Are Clicking and Getting Stuck. They Really Hurt.

If your finger clicks, pops or gets stuck when you bend or straighten it, and it really hurts, you may be experiencing a very common hand condition called trigger finger. The medical term is stenosing tenosynovitis.

Tendons in your hand are like cables that pull your fingers closed. They glide through tunnels of tissue called pulleys. When a tendon or its protective sheath becomes swollen or irritated, it can struggle to slide smoothly. Instead of gliding, the tendon catches — and when it finally snaps past the swollen area, you feel that click or pop.

Why It HURTS

The clicking is the tendon getting stuck. The pain usually comes from the area at the base of the finger, in the palm, where the irritation is concentrated. You may feel a tender knot in the palm, and the pain can be most noticeable in the morning or after the finger has been resting.

• A popping or catching sensation when bending the finger
• A finger that locks in a bent position and needs to be gently snapped or pulled straight
• Pain or tenderness at the base of the finger in the palm
• A small, tender lump in the palm near the finger
• Stiffness, especially in the morning

When It Gets Stuck

Over time, the catching can progress until the finger locks completely in a bent position. If you need to use your other hand to straighten it, or if you cannot straighten it at all, treatment is likely needed to restore smooth tendon glide.

What Can Be Done

Treatment depends on how bothersome the symptoms are. Mild symptoms that come and go may respond to rest, activity modification and anti-inflammatory measures. When catching or pain is persistent, a cortisone injection into the tendon sheath often helps calm the inflammation and allow the tendon to glide again. When injections do not provide lasting relief, a small outpatient procedure called trigger finger release can widen the tunnel and restore smooth movement.

If your finger is clicking and getting stuck, you do not have to live with it. An evaluation can confirm whether trigger finger is the cause and help you understand which treatment fits your situation.