Trigger Finger Surgery

There are several trigger finger treatments available. Trigger finger can disappear on its own. Splinting and corticosteroid injections can also help mild cases. For more severe or repeat cases, trigger finger release surgery can remove the symptoms of the illness. There are two types of surgery: open trigger finger release surgery and percutaneous trigger finger release surgery. During open trigger finger release surgery, your surgeon will inject a local anaesthetic directly into the palm of your hand before creating a small incision on one of the natural creases of your skin to minimise any scarring. From there, your surgeon will make a precise cut through the tendon sheath (a thin layer of tissue that surrounds the tendon) to widen it. Once complete, your surgeon will close the open wound with stitches and apply a light bandage over the treatment area. Percutaneous means ‘through the skin’ and refers to the method of surgery used. For this type of trigger finger treatment, your surgeon will use a local anaesthetic on the palm of your hand before inserting a needle into the treatment area. The needle will enter at the base of your impacted finger or fingers and work to loosen the tendon and surrounding skin by cutting through the attached ligament. As there is no incision required, there will be no scarring or open wounds.

There are several benefits you are likely to feel once you have recovered from your trigger finger operation: • You should experience a decrease in stiffness and aches in your finger or fingers. This will allow you to move your fingers and hand without pain and discomfort. • You should no longer hear a clicking or popping noise when you stretch or bend your fingers, and you will have the freedom to flex them more fully. These physical improvements could allow you to enjoy using your hands in day-to-day life without them ‘locking in place’ or becoming stiff and inflamed. You will be able to discuss trigger finger treatment and the potential benefits at your free initial consultation. Talking to your surgeon, they will detail what happens in the operation and the results. You will also be able to see for yourself the outcomes of other patients of The Hospital Group following trigger finger surgery and the difference it has made to their lives.

As with any surgical procedure, some potential risks can occur with trigger finger surgery. These include infection, stiffness of the finger, scarring and nerve damage. Tendon bowstringing after trigger finger surgery can also occur in very rare cases, where the finger is prevented from extending fully and must be corrected by further surgery. During your initial consultation, your surgeon will talk you through the potential risks of trigger finger surgery and make sure you are completely aware of what may happen, however unlikely the complications may be.

Surgical trigger finger treatment might be right for you if you suffer from painful stiffness or ‘lock and release’ movements of your finger or thumb due to an inflamed or irritated tendon. Your suitability will be discussed in your consultation. However, the ideal candidate for a trigger finger operation is someone in good physical health with a positive mental attitude towards the surgery and what it can achieve. This surgery may be a suitable alternative if you've tried other trigger finger treatments such as splints, corticosteroids or exercises but haven’t experienced any success.

The Hospital Group has been providing expert care for over 45 years, helping administer trigger finger treatments to people across the UK. Our approach is personalised, ensuring that surgeries and other treatments are adapted to your needs and wants, and that you’re supported throughout your journey. When you choose The Hospital Group, you receive: • Care from expert surgeons, fully registered by the General Medical Council (GMC). They have performed trigger finger operations countless times, providing excellent results for patients. • Treatments that take place in high-quality clinics operating in line with the best guidance from the Care Quality Commission, Healthcare Infection Society and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales. • Simple, transparent costings and helpful finance options so any patient can get the trigger finger care they need. • Expert care from all our nurses, who will be with you every step of the way, providing aftercare that promotes a fast and successful recovery.

As a responsible healthcare provided, we appreciate that each patient we see has their own special requirements. We'll tailor our treatment plans to your unique needs. And it all starts with a free consultation, where we'll talk about the options that are suitable for you. There are several finance options to choose from for trigger finger treatments, ranging from paying outright to spreading the cost over a number of years. We know that deciding to have a trigger finger operation is a major decision. Through creating your own bespoke treatment plan, however, we'll also make sure that it's right for your budget. We carry out all finance applications free of charge and there's never any obligation to go ahead with treatment. You can also use our simple price check form to find out how much your surgery could cost. For more information about all our flexible finance plans, please visit our Pricing and Finance page.

Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a condition that impacts the tendon in one or more of your fingers, causing it to stiffen or lock. It is a painful condition that is heightened when you straighten or bend your finger, causing it to ‘snap’ in place. This reaction mirrors the ‘pull and release’ motion of a trigger. The symptoms of trigger finger include: • Stiff fingers, especially in the morning. • Popping and clicking in the finger when it is moved. • The catching or locking of the finger in a bent position. • The sudden straightening of a bent and locked finger.

Trigger finger is caused by the swelling of the sheath that surrounds the tendons, preventing them from moving. If the sheath stays irritated and swollen for a lengthy period, small bumps known as nodules can form. This restricts movement further. According to the NHS, the exact causes of trigger finger are not completely known. However, certain factors can increase your risk of developing the condition, such as if: • You're 40 years old or above. • You’re female. • You have a job or hobby that requires you to make repeated gripping movements with your fingers. • You have experienced a hand injury before, particularly to the base of your fingers or palm. • You suffer from ailments such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, amyloidosis, underactive thyroid, carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s contracture, or De Quervain's disease.

Trigger finger release surgery is an outpatient procedure and generally takes around 20 to 30 minutes to complete. You'll be able to go home the same day.

Most people can return to their usual working routine within a few days after trigger finger surgery, especially if they work in an office setting. However, it may take up to three weeks before you can return to more labour-intensive roles.

Some research, such as a scientific paper from 2015, has found that trigger finger can happen as a complication of carpal tunnel surgery. However, operating on both at the same time isn’t commonly performed. As such, we would always recommend having the surgeries individually.

For the first 48 hours after trigger finger treatment, you should try to elevate your hand as much as possible. To help aid your recovery further, you should attempt to keep the impacted finger or fingers moving and be sure to exercise their flexibility. Keeping your fingers in motion and practicing daily exercises like forming a fist with your fingers before releasing them helps reduce internal scarring. Hand therapy or physiotherapy may be recommended after treatment.

You might feel some pain in your palm following your trigger finger surgery. This may make driving difficult and dangerous. While this pain should subside within a couple of weeks, you should not return to driving before you feel comfortable doing so safely, without pain or discomfort.