What does a trigger finger feel like?

The symptoms of trigger finger include pain and a funny clicking sensation when the finger is bent. Pain usually occurs when the finger is bent and straightened. Tenderness usually occurs over the area of the nodule–at the bottom of the finger. The clicking sensation occurs when the nodule moves through the tunnel formed by the pulley ligaments. With the finger straight, the nodule is at the far edge of the surrounding ligament. When the finger is flexed, the nodule passes under the ligament and causes the clicking sensation. If the nodule becomes too large it may pass under the ligament, but becomes stuck at the near edge. The nodule cannot move back through the tunnel, and the finger is locked in the flexed trigger position.