Trigger Finger Release at Winfield Hospital

What is trigger finger release?

Trigger finger release surgery is performed to widen the tunnel that your tendons pass through in your finger or thumb and to resolve a condition known as trigger finger.

Trigger finger is a common and painful condition that restricts your finger or thumb movement. It affects the tendons in your finger or thumb and causes them to lock or catch as they bend towards your palm.

Trigger finger occurs if the tendons in your finger or thumb become inflamed, and when you bend your finger or thumb the inflamed tendon is pulled through a tendon sheath tunnel that is now too narrow. Your tendon sheath may also thicken and make the opening of the tunnel smaller. Your tendon may become momentarily stuck in the tight tunnel and as it slips through it might make a snap or pop.

Symptoms of trigger finger include:

Pain when bending or straightening your trigger digit.
Tenderness in your palm.
Clicking of your trigger digit during movement, or locking in a bent position. The digit may need to be straightened using your other hand.
Stiffness in your trigger digit.

If you think you may have trigger finger, it’s worth seeing your GP. They may suggest that you avoid activities that are causing you pain to see if this helps to relieve your symptoms. Over the counter pain killers may also be useful.

Treatment for trigger finger depends on your symptom’s severity and how long you've had them. Mild cases of trigger finger can get better without treatment.

Treatment options for trigger finger release

Initially non-surgical treatment may be recommended including non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, splinting where your finger is strapped to hold it straight, and corticosteroid injections to relieve your symptoms.

If you have severe trigger finger or other treatments haven’t worked, then trigger finger release surgery will be recommended.

Surgery for trigger finger is normally performed on an outpatient basis, under local anaesthetic and takes around 20 minutes. There are two types of trigger finger release surgery:

Open trigger finger release surgery – this is generally the preferred option. Your hand surgeon will make a small incision in your palm and carefully cut through the tendon sheath to make it wider.
Percutaneous trigger finger release surgery - a needle is inserted into the base of your affected digit and is used to slice thought your ligament. There are no cuts or scars but there are nerves and arteries very close to the tendon sheath that could easily be damaged.

The benefits of trigger finger release surgery include regaining the ability to properly move the affected fingers, and normal use of your hand.

Complications are rare with trigger finger release surgery. However, as with any surgery, complications could occur and include:

Infection
Pain or stiffness in your finger
A tender scar
Nerve damage
Bowstringing - where the tendon is in the wrong position
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) - pain and swelling in your hand that usually resolves after a few months.

Immediately following surgery most people can move their fingers. You may feel soreness in your palm. You may be advised to have physiotherapy for finger exercises to help loosen your finger. You can expect recovery to take a few weeks. Swelling and stiffness may take up to six months to go.

Winfield Hospital Specialists

Mr Ewan Bigsby

Mr Ewan Bigsby is an orthopaedic surgeon in Gloucester who specialises in upper limb surgery
Read more
Mr Daniel Engelke

Mr Daniel Engelke is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Winfield Hospital in Gloucester who specialises in upper limb surgery.
Read more
Mr Will Mason

Mr Will Mason is a Consultant Orthopaedic Consultant at Winfield Hospital in Gloucester who specialises in hand and wrist surgery.
Read more
Mr Noel Peter

Mr Noel Peter is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Gloucester, who specialises in Upper Limb surgery
Read more
Miss Jurga Pikturnaite

Miss Jurga Pikturnaite is a Plastic reconstructive, aesthetic and hand surgeon in Gloucestershire
Read more
Mr Vinay Takwale

Mr Vinay Takwale is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, specialising in Shoulder, Elbow and Hand Surgery in Gloucester
Read more

Related Treatments

Dupuytrens Fasciectomy

Dupuytrens Fasciectomy is surgery to remove thickened, scar-like tissue from under the skin of the fingers and palm of the hand, responsible for causing Dupuytren’s contracture. The goal is to release the tight bands of tissue, allowing the affected fingers to regain their normal range of motion.

Find out more

Hand and Wrist Surgery

Hand and wrist surgery is broad ranging orthopaedic specialty. It is normally performed by an orthopaedic consultant with a special interest in hands and wrists to treat several injuries or damages

Find out more

Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel is nerve compression in the wrist causing pain and numbness. Explore carpal tunnel surgery, a procedure relieving pressure on the median nerve in the wrist to improve hand function and reduced discomfort.

Find out more

Latest from Winfield Hospital

Ramsay Health Care UK Hospitals Awarded Gold NJR Providers

Ramsay Health Care UK are celebrating after being named as a Gold National Joint Registry (NJR) Quality Data Provider after successfully completing a national data quality audit programme for 25 of their hospitals offering orthopaedic procedures.

Find out more

Julie Wood Celebrates 35 Years at Ramsay Health Care UK

This year Ramsay Health Care celebrates 60 years of global expertise in healthcare.

We speak to Julie Wood, Medical Secretary Team Leader as she celebrates 35 years at Ramsay Health Care UK.

Find out more

Winfield Hospital's Operations Manager takes on Mount Everest

Winfield Hospital's Operations Manager, Mark Thompson takes on Mount Everest hike and raises over £3000 for a local charity, Sunflowers Suicide Support.

Find out more

Specialties

Treatments

Tests & Scans

Your Care

Clinical Information

Funding Treatment

Trigger Finger Release