Hand Surgery

Trigger fingers

What is trigger finger?

Trigger finger is a painful condition that causes your fingers or thumb to catch or lock when you bend them. It can affect any finger, or more than one. When it affects your thumb, it’s called trigger thumb.

How do we treat trigger finger?

If you have severe symptoms or if other treatments don’t work, the triggering is corrected by a surgical procedure.

Surgery - A small cut is made at the base of the finger to open the pulley around the tendon. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia.

Care after surgery

Following surgery, your hand and wrist will be bandaged to protect the site of the surgery. You will be advised to elevate your hand using a sling which will help in reducing swelling, improving pain and helps in healing. You will advised to keep your fingers moving. The pain in the first 24 hours is best managed by taking regular paracetamol. Gradually as the suture line heals you will be able to increase the use of your hand, including driving and writing. Sutures may be dissolvable or require removal after 10 days post surgery. Post operative instructions are provided including massaging the scar to keep it soft.