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Snapping finger (tendovaginitis stenosans)
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A snapping finger is caused by a constriction in the tendonsheath at the level of the passage of the hand palm to the finger. Because of this the finger stays sometimes in one position if it is bent (1) and can only be stretched difficultly and with a sudden, sometimes painful click.
The surgical treatment exists from opening the narrowed tendon sheath under local anaesthesia by means of a transverse cut (2). After opening the skin (3) and the sheath with its narrowed part, the tendon becomes visible(4) and can function again without obstruction. The tendon sheath will heal without constriction. The wound (5) can be sutured and after 7-10 days the stitches can be taken out.