Trigger Finger Surgery

What is trigger finger surgery?

Some people may suffer from a condition known as the trigger finger, which is the inability to move the fingers or one of them properly, which can cause the finger to remain in a crooked position that hinders many daily functions.

The main cause of the trigger finger is the inflammation of the tendon sheath attached to the muscles, which is responsible for the movement of the fingers in the hand, causing problems in their movement accompanied by a range of disturbing symptoms such as pain in the fingers when moving or pressure, a popping sound when moving a finger or in some advanced stages that loss of the ability to hold the finger in a straight position or bend it completely (i.e., finger stuck in a certain position).

The orthopaedic surgeon uses a number of surgical procedures depending on the patient's condition, following the failure of other non-surgical medications (pain relievers or finger exercises) in the treatment of the trigger finger. Tendon release in the trigger case is characterized by high success rates and often a quick recovery period.

Treatment in Jordan takes approximately "4 days".

What is a trigger finger problem?

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Reasons to undergo trigger finger surgery

The trigger finger surgery is performed in the following cases:

Constant pain in the fingers, hand or forearm.
Inability to accomplish daily tasks and duties.
Limited movement of the fingers and stability in a certain position sometimes, which can cause embarrassment for the patient.

Preparations and tests before trigger finger surgery

The patient should undergo some tests before trigger finger surgery, such as:

Medical history of the patient.
Physical examination to check the hand.

Patient preparations include: Patients are required to refrain from taking blood thinners and other medications and supplements upon the specialist request.

Trigger finger surgery procedures

Trigger finger surgery includes the following procedures:

Traditional (open) surgery: the patient is given a sedative with local anaesthesia, then an incision is made in the palm of the hand along with the affected finger by 0.5 inches, then the surgeon cuts the tendon sheath obstructing the movement of the tendon, then checks the finger's ability to move and closes the incision with stitches and covers it with a special bandage.
Percutaneous surgery: The skin is anaesthetized in the palm of the hand and a needle is inserted through the skin to the affected area, where the surgeon moves the needle and finger to release the tendon, ultrasound may be used for more accuracy.

Complications of trigger finger surgery

Although the incidence of complications in trigger finger surgery is very rare, it can occur like any other surgical procedure, such as:

Stiffness of the fingers that underwent the surgery.
Temporary swelling or ulceration at the site of the surgery.
Inability to hold the finger straight after the surgery.
Numbness in the fingers due to nerve damage.
Limited range of motion in fingers.

Patient hospital stay after surgery

Patients may leave the hospital on the same day after surgery.

Recovery period after trigger finger surgery

The patient can move his fingers immediately after the surgery. However, a full and natural movement takes about one to two weeks, during the first few days, the patient may feel pain at the incision site, but it will go away after taking painkillers.

Full recovery after trigger finger surgery may take 3 to 6 months to get rid of stiffness and swelling in the hand.

Tips after trigger finger surgery

It is advisable to keep the wound clean and dry, in addition to the need to keep it covered with a "corset" for about a week, the patient can perform rehabilitation exercises for the fingers during the first period after consulting a specialist in this regard to avoid stiffness of the fingers and maintain flexibility.

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Last updated on 22 December 2021