Medical Terminology for Trigger Finger
The medical term for trigger finger is stenosing flexor tenosynovitis 1, 2, 3.
Pathophysiology and Definition
Stenosing flexor tenosynovitis describes the underlying pathological process: inflammation and narrowing of the flexor tendon sheath that causes the characteristic catching, clicking, or locking of the affected digit 2, 4.
The condition results from a size mismatch between the flexor tendon and the first annular (A1) pulley, which creates mechanical obstruction during finger flexion and extension 2.
The term "trigger finger" is the common clinical descriptor, while stenosing tenosynovitis or stenosing flexor tenosynovitis represents the formal medical nomenclature used in clinical documentation and literature 1, 3.
Clinical Context
This terminology applies to both adult and pediatric presentations, though the pathomechanics may differ slightly between age groups 1.
The condition manifests as sudden release or locking of a finger during flexion or extension movements, caused by the stenotic A1 pulley restricting smooth tendon gliding 5.
In medical records and surgical coding, stenosing flexor tenosynovitis is the preferred diagnostic term, while "trigger finger" or "trigger thumb" serves as the colloquial equivalent understood by both clinicians and patients 2, 4.