yes, I have a trigger finger (middle). Any hard grip with that hand will cause the finger to lock up, and I'll have to manually extend it--annoying and somewhat painful. Apparently the tendon connected to the finger develops a "knot" which catches.

I had one also as a kid -- had surgery on it, which fixed it. Not sure I would do that again.

Not familiar with "trigger finger" but because of arthritis all my joints snap crackle and pop including my thumbs. Glad that you are not in pain.

I have had trigger thumb issues. Had surgery to fix the right thumb about 20 years ago. The fix worked and the recovery time was easy and short. The thumb has worked perfectly since then. About 10 years ago the left thumb started to "trigger" mildly. My rheumatologist put a shot of cortisone in the joint. It hasn't been a problem since. My right ring finger has been triggering on occasion for several years now, but not enough to do any thing about it, yet.

Low atmospheric pressure sometimes causes me trouble with my joints. Thumb problems make you aware of how special humans are *because* of those opposing joints!

My thumb has eased up this morning, after about four hours. It does feel very stiff, though. I think that I will ice it. I hate to take NSAIDS, and do so only in a pain emergency.

I know that I sleep with my fists clenched; I may invent a splint to keep my thumb extended to wear tonight.

One evening I squeezed a wet sponge and heard something pop in my right thumb. Initially it didn't hurt, but it got much much worse -- I had 'trigger finger' in my thumb and extreme pain when I tried to use it... doctor said I had torn the tendon sheath and all he could do was give me cortisone shots (I opted out). I'm right-handed and was unable to use my thumb for almost 6 months so I got pretty good at doing things left-handed! (including writing!)

So that is what it is called and why it happens! The ring finger on my left hand would lock up like that. It would happen for months at a stretch when trying to open a fist; the finger had to be straightened manually using my right hand. Then the finger would work fine for a while, before the problem reoccurred. It hasn't happened for about eight months now, so I guess the problem resolved itself. Luckily mine was more a nuisance than painful and I never bothered to ask a doctor about it.

My step daughter just had the surgery for Trigger finger. It has helped her. She has a scar right at the base of the thumb

Hmmmm. Oftentimes, my whole hand (not thumb) cramps...like you are describing your trigger finger. This happens frequently while eating with my fork...sometimes dropping it as the "cramp" comes on so quickly. Have to think on that a bit.

Yes, several years ago I had that in both of my thumbs. Told my orthopedic doctor about it. He said, "I can fix that." He ordered the nurse to bring something in and he put a shot up each thumb from where it meets the palm of your hand. Shot hurt...YIKES...good thing doctor had a firm hold of my hand, but I've had no problems since. Just several nights after the shots were given I had horrible pain in the left thumb during the night. I grabbed and pulled on my thumb and that cured it. IF it were ever to happen again, I would go right back for another "fix" shot.

It is amazing what those cortisone shots can do. I gave a "trigger" big toe...keeps popping, but it is old Arthur that lives in my joints

Well, my symptoms have progressed somewhat over a few hours. I may change my opinion about seeing a doctor. (:-(

I've developed a big knot at the base of the thumb, on the inside. That's where the problem is. The whole inside from top to bottom is a bit painful to the touch. That top joint is now pretty much stuck open unless I flex it with my other hand.

It's still not a major problem, not very painful, and hasn't curtailed activities too much. But how much worse is it going to get?

I've been icing it, I splinted it last night, and have been applying my topical anti-inflammatory cream (thanks to Alisande) which makes a big difference.

It's been interesting, that's for sure. :-)

Go get checked by your doctor, Rhizo. Don't put it off.

Nanny, yes that is trigger finger. I had two trigger finger and a carpel tunnel surgery in Jan. It was a breeze. That hand is working like a charm, now to have the other one done this winter. Mine got so bad that I couldn't open my fingers.