Trigger Finger Release is not a cosmetic surgical procedure. It is a surgery to correct a stiff or locked joint in a finger or thumb, which is called a “trigger finger.” Many patients present with pain in their palm at the base of one or more of their digits that is worsened by moving that digit. Sometimes the digit will lock, other times it will catch. This condition is usually a result of swollen tendons, tight tendon sheaths (“tunnels” that tendons travel through in the palm), or an outward bump or growth on the tendon that can cause the tendons to catch or lock. The surgery to correct this condition should be covered by your insurance.
Who needs a trigger finger release?
Patients that have trigger finger will often first complain of pain in the palm at the base of one or more of the digits. This pain is often worse in the morning and is also worsened by moving the involved digit. When it becomes more advanced, the tendon can get “locked” in a flexed position that the patient may have to manually “undo”. Steroid injections are often the “firstline” of therapy for this. When patients present only with pain at the base of the digit, the steroid injection usually fixes the problem without a need for surgery; however, some patients have a recurrence of symptoms in several months and these patients usually require an open trigger finger release. There is also a very high incidence of this condition in patients that have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Description of Trigger Finger Release
Trigger Finger Release is generally performed in Dr. Boynton’s office under a local anesthetic to numb the hand along with a sedative to make you feel slightly drowsy. This can be done under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. The incision is very small and made in the palm.
Dr. Boynton incises a small “window” into the affected tendon sheath in order to release the overlying constriction to the tendons that pass through the sheath or “tunnel” and to create more space for movement. This restores normal motion to the joint of the finger or thumb. The patient will be able to go home a few hours after surgery, but may need someone to drive them home and help them around the house for a few days.
Recovery After Trigger Finger Release
Patients will have a bulky hand dressing for several days and may have some temporary numbness afterwards for several hours because of local anesthetics that often are injected at the time of surgery to minimize postoperative pain. Patients will take pain medicine for several days as well as an antibiotic. Most patients return to work within several days. The sutures are usually removed in 3 weeks.
Surgical Risks
Trigger Finger Release is a very safe surgery that has extremely successful results. All surgeries have some element of risk such as injury to the tendon, infection of the tendon sheath, and recurrence of the triggering. Injury to the nerves is very remote but can result in rare cases, although it can usually be repaired at the time of surgery.
Schedule a Consultation for Trigger Finger Release
Dr. James F. Boynton can answer all of your questions about the Trigger Finger Release procedure. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation.
