Locking or clicking
Typical of trigger finger or thumb.
Tendon & finger specialist care · Manchester
Tendon & Finger Conditions & Treatments
Find the right pathway for locking, catching, thumb-side wrist pain, tendon injury or finger deformity—with clear guidance from diagnosis to recovery.
6focused condition guides
UK · UAEspecialist consultations
Clear optionsnon-surgical & surgical
Finger locking
Thumb-side pain
Explore by symptomFrom irritation to injury and recovery.
Understanding the problem
Tendons turn muscle power into finger movement.
Flexor tendons bend the fingers and thumb; extensor tendons straighten them. Pulley narrowing can cause trigger finger, tendon-sheath irritation can cause De Quervain’s, and cuts or impacts can interrupt movement completely.
Why early assessment mattersOpen wounds, loss of active bending or straightening, fixed locking and developing deformity may need time-sensitive treatment.
Locking or catching
A finger clicks, catches or locks during movement.
This pattern is commonly associated with trigger finger, where the flexor tendon catches at a narrowed pulley near the base of the digit.
Explore trigger finger treatment ↗What patients may notice
Symptoms that deserve a closer look.
Symptoms are most useful when matched to the exact movement that is lost, the location of pain and whether there has been a cut, impact or gradual onset.
Thumb-side wrist pain
Often linked to De Quervain’s tendon irritation.
Loss of bending
May indicate flexor tendon injury.
Loss of straightening
May indicate an extensor tendon injury.
Fingertip droop
A common mallet finger pattern.
Developing deformity
Boutonnière posture should be assessed before it becomes fixed.
Seek urgent assessmentafter a deep cut, inability to bend or straighten, loss of feeling, uncontrolled bleeding, severe contamination or a cold/pale finger.Request assessment ↗
Conditions treated
Common tendon and finger conditions.
Each card opens a detailed patient guide covering symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, surgery when appropriate and recovery.
01Tendon & finger care
Trigger Finger
Painful clicking, catching or locking of a finger or thumb.
Explore treatment guide ↗
02Tendon & finger care
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Thumb-side wrist pain aggravated by lifting, gripping and thumb movement.
Explore treatment guide ↗
03Tendon & finger care
Flexor Tendon Injuries
Palm-side cuts or trauma causing loss of finger or thumb bending.
Explore treatment guide ↗
04Tendon & finger care
Extensor Tendon Injuries
Back-of-hand wounds or impacts causing loss of finger straightening.
Explore treatment guide ↗
05Tendon & finger care
Mallet Finger
A drooping fingertip after a sports injury, jam or tendon avulsion.
Explore treatment guide ↗
06Tendon & finger care
Boutonnière Deformity
A bent middle joint and altered fingertip posture after central slip injury.
Explore treatment guide ↗Focused diagnosis
Find the structure, the injury and the severity.
A careful examination separates tendon, pulley, joint and nerve problems and identifies when imaging or urgent repair is needed.
Bring to your appointmentPrevious imaging, operation notes, splints, medication details and information about the activity or injury that started symptoms.
History and movement pattern
Which movement is painful or lost, when symptoms started and whether there was a cut or impact.
Specialist hand examination
Individual tendons, pulleys, joints, sensation, circulation and strength are assessed.
Imaging when useful
X-ray, ultrasound or MRI may clarify fracture, joint alignment, tendon continuity or another diagnosis.
A practical treatment plan
The plan balances symptom relief, protection, movement, work demands and the risk of delay.
Treatment choices
Protect movement first. Operate when needed.
Surgery is not automatic. Splinting, hand therapy, activity changes and injection may help selected conditions, while complete tendon cuts and unstable injuries often need repair.
Reduce irritation and preserve function.
- Activity modification and ergonomic changes
- Condition-specific splinting
- Hand therapy and graded exercises
- Pain relief or steroid injection when appropriate
- Review of persistent locking, weakness or deformity
Release, repair or reconstruct the exact structure.
- Trigger finger or De Quervain’s release
- Flexor or extensor tendon repair
- Fracture or joint stabilisation when needed
- Tendon reconstruction for delayed or complex injuries
- Protected hand-therapy rehabilitation
Questions patients ask
Tendon & finger condition FAQs.
General information only. Diagnosis and treatment should be based on an individual specialist assessment.
Do all tendon and finger conditions need surgery?+
No. Many problems improve with splinting, activity modification, therapy, pain relief or injection. Complete tendon lacerations and selected unstable injuries may require surgery.
When is a tendon injury urgent?+
Open cuts, inability to bend or straighten a finger, loss of feeling, severe contamination or circulation changes should be assessed urgently.
Can a locked finger become permanent?+
Severe trigger finger can become fixed. Early assessment helps determine whether splinting, injection or release is most appropriate.
How long does tendon repair recovery take?+
The repair remains vulnerable for weeks and often takes around three months to regain substantial strength. The exact programme depends on the tendon and injury zone.
Can I consult Dr. Arshad in Manchester or the UK?+
Yes. Specialist appointments are available in Manchester, UK and during Dr. Arshad’s UK clinical availability.
Patient education referencesTrusted sources used for this category
Manchester · UK & UK availability
Ready to understand what is limiting your finger or thumb?
Book a specialist hand and wrist assessment and bring previous imaging, reports, splints or treatment information.