If you've been dealing with a painful, stiff finger that locks or catches when you bend it, you might be dealing with trigger finger. This common condition affects thousands of people each year and can be both frustrating and debilitating. One of the most commonly recommended treatments is a cortisone injection — but are they really worth it?

In this post, we’ll explore what trigger finger is, how cortisone injections work, their success rate, possible side effects, and whether they’re the right choice for you.

What Is Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger, known as stenosing tenosynovitis, occurs when inflammation narrows the space within the sheath that surrounds the tendon in your finger. This causes the tendon to get stuck when you try to straighten or bend your finger, resulting in a “locking” sensation. In some cases, you may even need to use your other hand to manually straighten the finger.

Common symptoms include:

• Finger stiffness, especially in the morning

• A popping or clicking sound when moving the finger

• Tenderness or a bump at the base of the affected finger

• Finger catching or locking in a bent position

Trigger finger often affects the thumb, ring, or middle finger and is more common in people with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or those who perform repetitive gripping tasks [Currie et al, 2022; Donati et al, 2024; Uchihashi et al, 2014; Gil et al, 2020].

What Is a Cortisone Injection?

Cortisone (also called corticosteroid) is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication that can be injected directly into the affected tendon sheath. The goal is to reduce inflammation, allowing the tendon to glide more smoothly through its sheath and resolve the locking or catching.

The procedure is typically quick, done in your doctor's office, and involves:

1. Cleaning the area

2. Possibly applying a local anesthetic

3. Injecting cortisone near the affected tendon sheath

Corticosteroid injections are typically well-tolerated, with minimal side effects [Peters-Veluthamaningal et al, 2008; Hollins et al, 2022].

How Effective Are Cortisone Injections for Trigger Finger?

The big question: Do they work?

Success Rate:

Cortisone injections are often highly effective, especially when used early in the course of the condition.

• Clinical evidence supports the efficacy of corticosteroid injections for trigger finger.

  • A Cochrane review found that corticosteroid injections combined with lidocaine were more effective than lidocaine alone, with significant improvement in treatment success at four weeks [Peters-Veluthamaningal, 2009].
    

  • Another randomized controlled trial demonstrated that corticosteroid injections provided significant short-term relief, with effects lasting up to 12 months [Peters-Veluthamaningal et al, 2008].

• Some patients may need a second injection if symptoms return or don’t improve fully.

  • A prospective cohort study indicated that repeated corticosteroid injections could be effective for recurrent trigger finger, with successrates of 97.4% at one month, decreasing to 49.1% at 12 months [Luangjarmekorn et al, 2024].

  • Additionally, a study in the Journal of Hand Surgery reported that 39% of second and third injections resulted in long-term relief, suggesting that repeat injections can be beneficial for some patients [Dardas et al, 2017].

• In patients without underlying conditions like diabetes, success rates can be even higher.

However, effectiveness can vary depending on:

• How long you've had symptoms

• Which finger is affected

• Presence of other conditions like diabetes (which can lower the success rate)

• Severity of the inflammation

For mild to moderate cases, cortisone injections often prevent the need for surgery altogether.

How Long Does Cortisone Injections for Trigger Finger Take to Work?

Many people feel relief within a few days to a week after the injection. However, in some cases, it can take up to 3-4 weeks for full improvement.

• A randomized controlled study by Bitar et al. found that the median number of days to complete symptom relief was 9 days for pain and 11-15 days for stiffness, with full relief from triggering taking around 20-21 days [Bitar et al, 2023].
  
• Another study by Peters-Veluthamaningal et al. reported significant improvement in symptoms within one week, with continued benefits observed over the following weeks [Peters-Veluthamaningal et al, 2008].
  

Patience is key, and during this time, gentle stretching and avoiding overuse of the affected finger can help the healing process.

What Are the Risks or Side Effects of Cortisone Injections for Trigger Finger?

Cortisone injections are generally safe, but like any medical treatment, they come with potential risks [Peters-Veluthamaningal et al, 2008; Pujalte et al, 2024; Kamel et al, 2024]:

Short-Term Side Effects:

• Pain or soreness at the injection site (usually temporary)

• Mild swelling

• Facial flushing

• Temporary spike in blood sugar (especially in diabetic patients)

Long-Term or Rare Risks:

• Skin thinning or lightening at the injection site

• Tendon weakening or rupture (rare)

• Infection (very rare)

Most people tolerate cortisone injections well, but it’s important to discuss any concerns with your provider, especially if you have diabetes or a history of reactions to steroids.

How Long Does the Relief Last after a Cortisone Injections for Trigger Finger?

For many patients, the relief from a cortisone injection lasts several months to years. Some may never have symptoms again after one injection. Others may experience recurrence within a few months, especially if the underlying cause (like repetitive gripping) continues.

• According to a study by Wojahn et al., 45% of patients experienced long-term treatment success after a single injection, with 84% of treatment failures occurring within the first two years [Wojahn et al, 2014].
  
• Another study by Dardas et al. found that 39% of second and third injections provided long-term relief, with median times-to-failure of 371 and 407 days, respectively [Dardas et al, 2017]. However, the duration of relief can vary.
  

If the symptoms return, doctors may recommend a second injection, physical therapy, or consider surgical release in more stubborn cases.

• Some patients may never have symptoms again after one injection, while others may experience recurrence within a few months, especially if the underlying cause, such as repetitive gripping, continues. If symptoms return, doctors may recommend a second injection, physical therapy, or consider surgical release in more stubborn cases [Dardas
  et al, 2017; Rozental et al, 2008].

Are There Alternatives to Cortisone Injections for Trigger Finger?

Yes! Depending on the severity of your trigger finger, you may consider:

1. Conservative Treatments

• Resting the hand, avoiding repetitive activities, wearing a splint at night, and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen are effective for many patients.
  
  • A study by Atthakomol et al. demonstrated that splinting alone can significantly reduce pain and improve function, with no clinically important differences in outcomes compared to steroid injections [Atthakomol et al, 2023].

2. Physical Therapy

• Gentle stretches and exercises may help reduce stiffness and improve tendon glide.
  • According to Yanko et al., physical therapy alone resolved symptoms in 22% of patients, and when combined with corticosteroid injections, it increased the success rate to 48.5% [Yanko et al, 2025].
  • Additionally, Donati et al. reported that tendon gliding exercises and other physical modalities can reduce pain by 70% within weeks [Donati et al, 2025].

3. Surgery

• For severe cases that don't respond to injections or other treatments, a minor surgical procedure can release the tendon sheath and restore normal movement. The procedure, typically performed under local anesthesia, involves releasing the A1 pulley to allow the tendon to move freely.
  
  • Lange-Riess et al. reported a success rate of 100% with no recurrences at an averagefollow-up of 14.3 years. This procedure can be performed as an open surgery or percutaneously under ultrasound guidance, with both methods showing high efficacy and low complication rates [Lange-Riess et al, 2009; Sederberg et al, 2025; Rajeswaran et al, 2009].

So, Are Cortisone Injections Worth It?

If you're dealing with a finger that’s locking, stiff, or painful, a cortisone injection can be a fast, minimally invasive, and highly effective option. For many, it offers complete relief and helps avoid the need for surgery.

They’re especially worth considering if:

• Your symptoms are mild to moderate

• You want to avoid surgery

• You don’t have a medical condition that would make steroids risky

• You’ve tried rest and home care without success

However, if your trigger finger has been going on for a long time, or you have diabetes, you may have a lower chance of success, and your doctor might recommend combining treatments or moving to surgery more quickly.

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References

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2. Bitar H, Zachrisson AK, Byström M, Strömberg J. Day-by-day symptom relief after corticosteroid injection for trigger digit: a randomized controlled study of two techniques. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2023 Oct;48(9):849-856.
3. Currie KB, Tadisina KK, Mackinnon SE. Common Hand Conditions: A Review. JAMA. 2022 Jun28;327(24):2434-2445.
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