You don’t have to be a firearms enthusiast to feel the effects of trigger finger. This condition doesn’t only affect people who handle tools all day. If your job involves long hours at a computer or repeated gripping—like using a traditional mouse—you’re at higher risk. Trigger finger gets its name from the way a finger can lock in a bent position, similar to pulling a trigger. For many office workers, it begins as a small annoyance and gradually becomes a painful, movement-limiting injury that interferes with daily activities. Repetitive motions, frequent repetitive tasks, and awkward hand positions all contribute to its development.
What is Trigger Finger?
Medically known as stenosing tenosynovitis, trigger finger is a type of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Under normal conditions, the finger tendon glides smoothly through a soft tissue sheath, supported by the synovium—a membrane that keeps the joint lubricated. Trigger finger occurs when this sheath becomes irritated and inflamed, making it harder for the tendon to move freely.
Over time, inflammation can cause scarring or thickening that narrows the sheath. Repetitive hand movements—whether from manual labor or frequent computer use—can aggravate the tendon and increase irritation. When the sheath becomes too tight, bending your finger forces the swollen tendon through a restricted space, creating the characteristic snap or pop. Despite its name, trigger finger can affect any finger or the thumb, and multiple digits can be involved at once.
Ergonomically, devices that require constant gripping—such as traditional computer mice—can significantly increase the strain placed on finger tendons, especially when combined with poor posture.
Source: Amarican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
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How Trigger Finger Relates to Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Trigger finger fits within the broader category of RSIs, which develop when muscles, tendons, or nerves are overused through repetitive stress injury, repetitive movements, or awkward hand positions. These patterns are common during typing, mouse use, and other computer-based work.
RSI symptoms—such as stiffness, tenderness stiffness, pain, reduced mobility, or occasional tingling—often overlap with early signs of trigger finger and may lead to chronic pain if not addressed. Related conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), medial epicondylitis, gamer's thumb, and rotator cuff injury share similar roots in repetitive strain and can affect multiple parts of the upper limbs or upper body.
Understanding RSI helps explain how trigger finger develops gradually and why ergonomic habits and equipment are essential to prevent RSI and avoid further damage to affected body parts.
Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
What Are The Symptoms?
Symptoms of trigger finger usually begin mildly and worsen over time. They may include:
- A painful clicking or snapping when bending or straightening your finger
- Morning stiffness in the affected finger
- Soreness or a bump at the base of the finger or thumb
- A popping or catching sensation during movement
- A finger that becomes locked in a bent position
- Other symptoms such as tingling, numbness, or reduced mobility when RSIs overlap
Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Mayo Clinic
These symptoms overlap with broader repetitive strain injury symptoms, which makes early awareness especially important for anyone performing repetitive activities throughout the day. A noticeable decrease in grip strength or mobility can signal that the affected body area is under strain.
For office workers who rely on small, controlled hand movements while gripping a traditional mouse, these symptoms can quickly disrupt workflow and comfort.
Am I At Risk?
The biggest risk factor for developing trigger finger is forceful, repetitive finger motion. Other factors include:
- Age (most common between 40 and 60)
- Higher occurrence in women
- Diabetes, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis can lead to trigger finger.
- Repetitive strain from typing, gripping, or tool use
- Holding the hand in the same position for long periods
- Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s most common in the first 6 months after your operation. That’s right! Trigger finger can be an added bonus for those who develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Playing sports, assembly-line work, or activities involving power tools
How To Treat Trigger Finger and Reduce Pain
Diagnosis of trigger finger and related RSIs typically involves a physical exam, reviewing medical history, and, when needed, using diagnostic tests to assess damaged tissues. In cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, diagnosis focuses on identifying compression of the median nerve, which can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand.
If caught early, most people can reduce pain and avoid surgery through conservative treatment options:
- Rest is key. You may need to take a break from the activity or activities that are causing the issues.
- Your doctor can give you one designed splint to keep your finger still.
- Gentle stretching exercises.
- Over-the-counter drugs that can help fight inflammation such as ibuprofen.
- Steroid injections. They might give you a steroid shot into the tendon sheath to help reduce inflammation. It can keep your symptoms at bay for a year or more, but you could need two shots to get results.
If symptoms persist, further treatment may be necessary. In severe cases, nerve conduction studies help determine whether nerve damage or nerve compression is present. Similar approaches are used for other overuse injuries such as bursitis occurs, tennis elbow, and rotator cuff injuries.
For advanced cases, surgery may be recommended to prevent further damage. Recovery may take several weeks and often includes physical therapy to improve mobility. Working with a physical therapist or occupational therapist can support healing and help you return to your daily routine safely.
How Ergonomics Fits Into Prevention
While medical treatment addresses symptoms, prevention starts with reducing the gripping motions and repetitive strain that irritate the tendon. Ergonomic adjustments can help you perform your job safely, prevent repetitive strain injury affect on the affected area, and protect the upper limbs.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides guidelines and recommendations for workplace ergonomics and RSI prevention.
Switching to an ergonomic mouse—especially a centered pointing device like the Contour RollerMouse—helps eliminate the need to grip a mouse entirely. This supports neutral posture, keeps wrists straight, reduces awkward positions, and minimizes repeated movement that contributes to RSI.
Choose Proper Equipment to Reduce Trigger Finger
The equipment you use daily plays a major role in how much strain your fingers, hands, and wrists experience. Devices that minimize gripping force, awkward hand positions, and repetitive motions help reduce irritation in the tendon sheath.
For office workers, ergonomic equipment—paired with an ergonomic assessment of the workspace—can improve comfort, support healthy posture, and lower the risk of developing trigger finger.
Read More: Everything on workplace assessments
Reduce the Risk Before Pain Begins
Still using a traditional mouse? If you’re spending hours at your desk, that constant gripping and movement could be putting strain on the very tendons that cause trigger finger—especially if you’ve dealt with carpal tunnel or other RSIs. Make the switch to a healthier workflow now!
You can try a RollerMouse free for 30-days. Learn more.