Non-surgical treatment is usually the best option for treating trigger finger unless your finger or thumb is in a locked position. Surgery is a last resort for people with trigger finger whose finger or thumb stubbornly remains in a locked position. If you have to undergo surgery for your trigger finger, it will most likely be done on an outpatient basis under a local anesthetic. You may need therapy after a trigger finger release procedure.

Trigger Finger is a condition that causes a person difficulty in straightening the finger. This is due to inflammation of the fibrous sheath surrounding the tendons in the finger. When the individual with trigger finger tries to straighten the affected finger, the swelling causes resistance and suddenly, the resistance is overcome, resulting in a sudden, jerky straightening of the finger which resembles a trigger mechanism. In addition, the patient may hear a clicking sound when the finger overcomes the resistance and finally straightens. Sometimes it causes the finger to lock in a bent position, but this only happens in very severe cases.
 

 Say Goodbye to Trigger Finger

The goal of trigger finger treatment is to reduce inflammation and pain and stop the finger from catching. Trigger finger treatment involves icing the area, taking medications for pain and inflammation, splinting the area and trigger finger surgery. The response to trigger finger treatment depends on the severity of the case as well as the individual patient. Generally, the outcome of trigger finger treatment is good.

If the symptoms of trigger finger are mild, trigger finger treatment can involve resting the hand and not overusing the affected finger. Trigger finger treatment sometimes simply involves icing the area and taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’S) are often prescribed, but do have many side effects.

If the condition persists, the physician may stop the pain by injecting the affected area directly with a local anesthetic and bring down inflammation in the tendon sheath by injecting it with corticosteroid. This injection can help stop pain and locking of the finger for several months.

If the pain and inflammation does not stop and the finger continues to get stuck, trigger finger surgery may be necessary. In addition, patient with rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes will most likely require trigger finger surgery in order to treat the condition. About five percent of individuals with trigger finger require trigger finger surgery.

Trigger finger surgery involves removing the segment of tendon sheath that is causing the problem. Trigger finger surgery can be done on an outpatient basis and the patient gets relief from the problem right away. Trigger finger surgery has a very good track record and it is normally very successful in trigger finger treatment. Following trigger finger surgery, patients may need hand therapy in order to get better use of the fingers.

If you are going to get trigger finger surgery, it is important to educate yourself as much as possible about the procedure. Look it up on the internet, talk to your doctor or someone who has already had the surgery. The more you know about what to expect, the less anxiety you will go through. After surgery, be prepared to only use one hand for awhile.

Get Rid of Trigger Finger

During trigger finger surgery, a local anesthetic or a nerve block will be given and then a tiny incision is made on the palm of the hand. The lumps in the tendon may be scraped away, allowing the tendon to move smoothly again. Sometimes the surgeon will make a slit in the tendon sheath if necessary to restore movement.

After trigger finger surgery, you will be sent home to rest and the hand will probably remain numb for about ten hours. Once swelling goes down, the finger will again move freely. Trigger finger surgery will leave you with a scar on the palm of the hand which may become tender and firm to the touch for up to eight weeks following trigger finger surgery. To help the problem, you can massage the area with a moisturizing lotion or cream.

Possible complications of trigger finger surgery include infection, bleeding or nerve damage.

Overall, treatment for trigger finger is generally very successful. There is always a chance that trigger finger will return after trigger finger surgery, however. Trigger finger can also affect the other fingers as well so surgery may be required again.

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