There isn't a single reason for this delay. Sometimes the patient has other problems that are more pressing, and the primary focus isn't on the finger. In other cases, there is a compromised immune system due to other illness or disease. This can lead to delays in diagnosis.

Most of the time, the cause of trigger finger is idiopathic or unknown. In rare cases, infection is the underlying cause. A series of cases have been reported caused by mycobacterium infections in AIDS patients. Patients who have had a series of steroid injections into the joints have also been reported with infection leading to joint and tendon problems.