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What can I Expect from Trigger Finger Surgery?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Trigger finger surgery is a very safe procedure for releasing tight tendon sheaths to allow people to freely move their fingers if they do not respond to more conservative treatments. Patients can usually start using the affected hand on the day of surgery, although it will take several weeks to build up strength. One of the biggest risks is the chance of recurrence, where the tendon swells again and the sheath tightens, causing movement restriction.

In trigger finger, patients experience a popping or snapping sensation as they bend or straighten fingers. This happens because the tendon sheath has become too narrow in one portion, and the tendon has trouble pulling smoothly through the sheath as the finger moves. In some cases, the finger becomes stuck in position because it is not possible to move the tendon back. This is most commonly an occupational illness, caused by repetitive motion and strain.

Trigger finger surgery may be necessary to release a tight tendon sheath and allow an individual to freely move their fingers.
Trigger finger surgery may be necessary to release a tight tendon sheath and allow an individual to freely move their fingers.

Surgery for trigger finger involves a local or regional anesthetic to numb the hand. The patient may receive a sedative to stay calm, but will be awake and aware. A hand surgeon will make a careful incision to access the area, and cut the swollen sheath open to free the tendon. The surgeon may ask the patient to flex the finger to make sure the problem is gone, and then closes the incision. Over time, the severed sheath heals over, with more room for the tendon.

Some people may need physical therapy to rebuild arm and hand strength following trigger finger surgery.
Some people may need physical therapy to rebuild arm and hand strength following trigger finger surgery.

After trigger finger surgery, patients may feel numb for several hours. The anesthetic wears off slowly, providing postoperative analgesia. Typically the surgeon applies a small bandage. The patient will need to keep the hand clean and dry for several days, and stitches will be taken out after 10 days. At this follow up appointment, the surgeon will check to see if the patient's hand is healing well.

Most surgical procedures have some potential risks, including infection or anesthesia complications.
Most surgical procedures have some potential risks, including infection or anesthesia complications.

Some patients may need physical therapy after trigger finger surgery to recover range of motion. Surgeons may also recommend wearing pressure garments on the hand to limit scar formation. Scars can be unpleasant to look at and will also limit the patient's movement, making it important to prevent them, if possible. Surgeons also use minimally invasive techniques to keep incisions small.

Pain management immediately after surgery often includes small doses of intravenous analgesics.
Pain management immediately after surgery often includes small doses of intravenous analgesics.

Patients may notice some tenderness and swelling for several days. This should resolve. If the hand feels hot or unusually tender, this is a cause for concern. Foul-smelling discharge after trigger finger surgery is a sign of infection. Patients should also be aware of a small risk of nerve damage in surgery, as the hand nerves run close to the tendons. Numbness, tingling, and loss of sensation after trigger finger surgery should be reported to the surgeon.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon1004987

Just a few weeks ago, I had the bandage removed from my locked ring finger on my right hand. What I noticed was they were taking out stitches from the top of my finger and not the palm My finger is still at the same degree angle and there was no incision made to release the tendon in the palm of my hand as I have seen in videos to release this constriction. Does a locked finger require surgery on the top-side of the finger? This doc is already under investigation for lying about his credentials. Am I a victim or a worry-wart?

Spotiche5

@rundocuri- A patient's orthopedist will give him or her a regimen of exercises to do following surgery. Lifting heavy objects should be avoided for the first few weeks.

After the healing process is complete, a patient should keep his or her hand flexible by moving the fingers back and forth and stretching them daily. Reaching for objects and picking them up is also a good activity to do.

Rundocuri

@spotiche5- Is there a specific type of hand exercise that is good to do following trigger finger surgery? What type of movements should be avoided?

Spotiche5

Trigger finger surgery is not so bad, but I agree with the article that recurrence is a big concern following the procedure. For this reason, it is important that anyone who has this surgery closely follow his or her doctor's recommendations when it comes to physical therapy and exercise to keep the hand flexible.

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    • Trigger finger surgery may be necessary to release a tight tendon sheath and allow an individual to freely move their fingers.
      By: xixinxing
      Trigger finger surgery may be necessary to release a tight tendon sheath and allow an individual to freely move their fingers.
    • Some people may need physical therapy to rebuild arm and hand strength following trigger finger surgery.
      By: aykuterd
      Some people may need physical therapy to rebuild arm and hand strength following trigger finger surgery.
    • Most surgical procedures have some potential risks, including infection or anesthesia complications.
      By: redcarpett
      Most surgical procedures have some potential risks, including infection or anesthesia complications.
    • Pain management immediately after surgery often includes small doses of intravenous analgesics.
      By: tawesit
      Pain management immediately after surgery often includes small doses of intravenous analgesics.
    • Trigger finger surgery usually utilizes local or regional anesthetic, allowing the patient to remain awake during the procedure.
      By: olly
      Trigger finger surgery usually utilizes local or regional anesthetic, allowing the patient to remain awake during the procedure.
    • People suffering from trigger finger will typically experience pain.
      By: nebari
      People suffering from trigger finger will typically experience pain.