Trigger Finger/Trigger Thumb

Hand
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
  • Trigger Finger/Trigger Thumb
  • Basilar Thumb Arthritis
  • Finger Arthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Dupytren’s Contracture
  • Tendon Lacerations
  • Tetraplegic Reconstruction

    Wrist
  • DeQuervain’s Tendinitis
  • Wrist Ganglion
  • Distal Radius Fractures
  • Scaphoid Fractures
  • Triangular Fibrocartilage Tear
  • Wrist Arthritis

    Elbow
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Distal Biceps Tendon Tear
  • Elbow Fractures
  • Elbow Ligament Injuries
  • Elbow Arthritis

    Shoulder
  • Rotator Cuff Tendinosis
  • Rotator Cuff Tear
  • Shoulder Instability/Dislocations
  • SLAP Lesions
    • Pulleys of the Flexor Sheath


    Trigger finger is when the tendon that flexes your finger (or thumb) gets stuck in the pulley (tunnel) that it goes through. As we age, or due to diabetes, thyroid disorders, or sometimes for unknown reasons, the tunnel stiffens and shrinks. The tendon that goes through it gets stuck and often ‘balls up’ to form a palpable nodule in front of the pulley. Trigger finger is often worse in the morning, and is often associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.

    If you were driving a truck that got stuck under a bridge, the first step to getting the truck under the bridge would be to let some air out of the tire. To do this, a steroid injection is helpful to decrease any inflammation present. This gives the tendon more room to get through the tunnel.

    If the injection doesn’t work, or if it works but the trigger digit recurs, consideration should be given to having a trigger finger (thumb) release. This is analogous to ‘raising the bridge’ to allow the truck to get through. This is a very successful operation, and is almost always a permanent cure. It is an outpatient procedure only takes a few minutes, and can be done under local anesthesia, like going to the dentist.

    Trigger Finger Release


    After surgery, you can do as much as you want, but if you want to minimize pain and swelling than you should probably avoid heavy lifting and gripping for 4-6 weeks. These activities can lead to inflammation about the surgical site, causing extra pain and swelling. This doesn’t cause any permanent damage, but can be annoying. If it happens, a steroid injection is usually very helpful.

    Please keep the wound clean and dry for one week. Bathing is safer than showering. Wrap a towel around the dressing in case any water gets in, then place a plastic bag over your hand and secure it tightly with rubber bands. After 5 days you can remove your dressings and get your incision wet in the shower. Blot it dry. There are no stitches to remove (they’re buried and absorbable). There are little pieces of tape over your wound. The longer they stay, the nicer the final wound may look. They’ll fall off when they’re ready. Please don’t submerge your incision under water (like swimming, or putting your hand under water while doing dishes) for 10 days after surgery.