Medical Terminology for Trigger Finger
The medical term for trigger finger is stenosing flexor tenosynovitis or stenosing tenosynovitis 1, 2, 3.
Pathophysiology and Definition
Stenosing tenosynovitis refers to the underlying pathological process where inflammation and narrowing of the A1 pulley creates a size mismatch between the flexor tendon and the pulley through which it glides 1, 4.
The condition is also documented in medical literature as tendovaginitis stenosans, particularly in European nomenclature 5.
The term "trigger finger" is the common clinical descriptor, while stenosing flexor tenosynovitis represents the formal medical diagnosis 2, 4.
Clinical Context
This entity causes functional deficit through pain, clicking, catching, and loss of motion in the affected digit 4.
The pathomechanics involve inflammation and subsequent narrowing of the A1 pulley, which prevents smooth gliding of the flexor tendon 1, 4.
The condition can affect any finger but is seen more frequently in the diabetic population and in women, typically in the fifth to sixth decade of life 4.