Leslie, 50, has been suffering from trigger finger in her thumb for the past two years. The condition disables her from moving her thumb without excruciating pain, and she’s tried cortisone shots and braces for treatment. Hand and wrist surgeon Dr. John Knight explains that trigger finger can develop from repetitive and forceful use of the fingers. I can also result from an injury to the hand and is seen more often in diabetics. To help Leslie’s pain, Dr. Knight performs a trigger thumb release procedure.