Trigger Finger Surgery

About This Treatment

The hand specialists at Franciscan Health may recommend surgery for your trigger finger. Trigger finger surgery, also called tenolysis or trigger finger release, is typically an outpatient procedure performed with local anesthetic. The sheath blocking tendon movement is opened so the flexor tendon can glide more easily through it.

Your doctor will encourage you to move your finger immediately after surgery, although you will have some soreness. Elevating your hand above your heart will help reduce swelling as your incision heals. You may also have physical therapy or hand therapy to help with stiffness.

It typically takes a few weeks to recover from trigger finger surgery and regain full use of your finger. Some swelling and stiffness may last four to six months.

Nonsurgical trigger finger treatment

Surgery is typically reserved for patients who haven’t found relief with nonsurgical therapies. Your doctor may recommend the following conservative treatments before discussing the option of surgery:

• Rest
• Ice or heat therapy
• Splinting
• Steroid injections

What is trigger finger?

Also called stenosing tenosynovitis, trigger finger causes the thumb or fingers to stick in a bent or straight position. The name comes from the way a hand looks when pulling a trigger.

Trigger finger develops from narrowing (stenosis) of the sheath covering the finger tendons, causing inflammation and swelling. Movement is difficult and painful.

Trigger finger diagnosis

Franciscan Health’s hand specialists will look for tenderness, swelling and any lump in the palm that moves as the finger moves. You will be asked to bend and straighten your finger to show any triggering.

Trigger finger causes

You’re most at risk for developing trigger finger if your job or hobbies require repetitive motion and gripping. The condition is most common in women between the ages of 40 and 60. Your risk for trigger finger increases if you have any of the following conditions:

• Diabetes
• Gout
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Trigger finger symptoms

Trigger finger may cause:

• A painful lump or swelling in the palm
• Difficulty flexing and straightening the finger
• Finger pain and stiffness, especially in the morning
• Snapping or popping when trying to extend the finger
• Soreness at the base of the finger