TRIGGER FINGER

October 24, 2019

Paul Nielsen, MD

Orthopaedic Surgeon

What Are the Symptoms of Trigger Finger?

• Catching of the fingers as you bend them down
  • Sometimes severe enough that it locks bend down
• Pain in the palm at the base of the fingers
• Soreness with gripping or heavy use of the hand

What Causes Trigger Fingers?

• The flexor tendon that bends the finger down travels through tunnels on the palm side of the finger as you bend your finger
• The flexor tendon develops swelling from inflammation, overuse, diabetes, genetics, or unknown reasons
• The swollen tendon catches on the tunnels as you try to bend and straighten your finger 

What Are the Treatment Options for a Trigger Finger?

• Steroid injections around the swollen tendon reduce the swelling and eliminate catching for the majority of patients
• Occasionally splinting the finger straight at night can help
• Surgery involves a small incision to open the tunnel so that the tendon and finger can glide smoothly
• The surgery is usually performed with just local anesthesia in about 10 minutes
  • No IV, no fasting, and no recovery from anesthesia medicines

What Is Recovery Like After Surgery?

• Patients normally are in a soft dressing for a few days after surgery
• Sutures are removed 10-14 days after surgery
• Light use of the hand is encouraged immediately after surgery
• Heavy use of the and is allowed about a month after surgery
• Hand therapy is usually not required
• Recurrence is uncommon
  • Other fingers can develop trigger fingers later, however

Recognize the symptoms of trigger finger? Feel free to call New West at 308-865-2570 to make an appointment with Dr. Nielsen today. No referral required.

About the Author

Paul Nielsen, MD is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand & upper extremity surgery at New West Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery in Kearney, NE.