Surgical Treatment: If other treatments don’t relieve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery. This surgical procedure is called “tenolysis” or “trigger finger release.”
Procedure
- Local anesthetic is injected to numb the area
- Small incision is made on the palm
- The sheath that surrounds the tendon is opened to enlarge the space and release the swollen tendon. This allows the finger to bend and straighten normally again.
- Incision is closed with stitches
- 20 minutes procedure
- You can usually go home the same day.
- Your hand will be wrapped in a soft bandage, and you may wear a plaster splint for a short time to keep the finger stable and more comfortable.
- The stitches will be removed in about 2 weeks.
Recovery
- Palm soreness is common
- Elevate hand to reduce pain and swelling
- Incision will heal within a few weeks. Stitches will be removed in about 2 weeks.
- Swelling and stiffness may take 4-6 weeks to completely resolve
- Physical therapy may be recommended if stiffness, swelling, or pain persist after surgery.
Benefits
- Can significantly improve pain levels and finger function for patients that failed to see improvement with conservative methods.
Complications
- Infection
- Tenderness at incision site
Who Qualifies?
- Patients whose finger is stuck in a flexed or bent position
- Patients who have high levels of pain and/or loss of function regardless of conservative treatment methods.
Outcomes
- Significant improvement in function and pain relief.
- Complete range of motion and finger function may not be restored if there was a contracture or loss of motion present before the surgical procedure.
